Rubio: US will try to broker an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference in New York that Washington will attempt to achieve an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, though he described the task as difficult, Ukrainska Pravda reports, citing Yevropeiska Pravda.

Both sides treat energy as a strategic target

Rubio explained that the difficulty stems from both Russia and Ukraine having designated strikes on each other's energy sector as a strategic military goal. Ukraine damages Russia by striking its energy sector, a key source of its revenue, while Russia inflicts pain on Ukraine by attacking its power grid, especially ahead of winter. Because of this, the diplomat said, it is not simple to suddenly agree on a truce.

At the same time, Rubio stressed that an energy ceasefire would benefit both Ukraine and Russia. He said he believed President Volodymyr Zelensky would confirm that protecting Ukraine's power grid is a core national interest, and this is exactly where the US could help by brokering an agreement. Rubio also noted that Russia is now facing strikes deep inside its territory and against key industries that it had not previously experienced.

US to continue its efforts

The secretary of state added that the US considers it important to achieve a "limited ceasefire" between the sides and will continue working toward it, saying it would benefit both the world and both countries. He said the US is ready to play a positive role in making such an agreement possible.

Zelensky, for his part, said the US has not asked Ukraine to unilaterally halt strikes on Russian energy facilities. At the start of his meeting with Zelensky in New York on September 22, US President Donald Trump said he would discuss strikes on Russian oil refineries with him. On September 13, Trump had already urged Zelensky to stop strikes on Russian diesel fuel production, saying the attacks were causing shortages. Zelensky said Ukraine has offered partners a proposal to secure an agreement with Russia that would halt the destruction of critical infrastructure.