Ukraine and Russia resume talks to end energy attacks – FT
30 October 2024 08:55
According to the Financial Times, Ukraine and Russia are holding preliminary talks on mutual cessation of shelling of energy infrastructure. The talks are still in the early stages, but with the mediation of Qatar, the Ukrainian side is actively seeking to resume them, according to "Komersant Ukrainian" citing the newspaper.
According to the FT, citing sources, a preliminary agreement was almost reached back in August, but its implementation was disrupted by the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ operation in the Kursk region. The source said:
“The negotiations are at a very early stage, and their focus is currently on energy facilities.”
The publication reports that over the past few weeks, both sides have reduced the frequency of attacks on energy infrastructure. This became possible due to agreements reached with the mediation of the intelligence services of both countries.
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However, with the onset of winter, Ukraine is facing serious challenges, as past missile attacks by Russia have damaged about half of its energy generating capacity. According to the FT, both Kyiv and Moscow recognize that stopping attacks on energy facilities is mutually beneficial.
However, Putin is unlikely to agree to a full-fledged deal until Russian troops have pushed the Ukrainian military out of Kursk region, where they still hold approximately 600 square kilometers.
If such an agreement were reached, it would be an important step toward de-escalating the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said that an agreement on the protection of energy facilities could signal Moscow’s willingness to engage in broader peace talks.
Despite this, a senior Ukrainian official said that Ukraine plans to continue strikes on Russian oil refineries and other facilities to put pressure on Moscow to negotiate.
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