Ukraine and Russia in talks about halting strikes on energy plants – FT report
Both Moscow and Kyiv have already reduced attacks on energy facilities as part of an intelligence services arrangement, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukraine and Russia are conducting preliminary negotiations about stopping attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, the Financial Times reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The timing is crucial as winter approaches, with Ukraine facing significant challenges after Russian missile strikes destroyed nearly half of its energy capacity. Ukraine now relies heavily on nuclear power and energy imports from European partners.
According to FT, Kyiv sought to revive Qatar-mediated talks that nearly reached an agreement in August before being derailed by Ukraine’s incursion near Kursk.
“There are very early conversations about potentially restarting something. The conversations now are about energy facilities,” a diplomat familiar with the negotiations told FT.
A senior Ukrainian official told the FT that both sides have already reduced the frequency of attacks on energy infrastructure in recent weeks under an arrangement between their intelligence services.
A former senior Kremlin official familiar with the talks indicated that Putin is unlikely to agree to a deal while Ukrainian forces remain in control of approximately 600 square kilometers of territory in the Kursk Oblast.
According to a senior Ukrainian official, Ukraine plans to continue striking targets, including oil refineries, to maintain pressure on Russia during negotiations.
They added that beyond Kyiv’s long-range strike capabilities targeting energy and military facilities in Russia, “we don’t have many leverage points to [force Russians] to negotiate.”
The Qatari mediation began in June after Zelenskyy held a peace summit in Switzerland, to which Russia was not invited.
Read also:
- Russia hits 4 energy power plants, hospital in Kharkiv overnight
- Energy Minister: Russia damaged 80% of Ukraine’s thermal power plants, half of hydroelectric ones
- Russian forces attack thermal power plant, injuring five energy workers
- DTEK energy company: more air defense systems needed to protect power plants
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
