Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that his country would stop bombing Russian oil refineries, a key demand of US President Donald Trump, if Washington supplies it with Patriot interceptor missiles.
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In an interview with the American Fox News channel on Sunday, Zelensky said he had held "many different discussions" with Trump and his team on this issue.
He added: "We asked not to stand idly by after the Russian attack on our energy facilities, after Russia killed our people and targeted electricity, gas, refineries, and everything."
He continued: "We told them that if you want us to stop targeting Russian oil refineries, then they should not attack our energy system.
There is another option, which is supplying us with Patriot missiles, and we will find the necessary funding, rather than merely providing aid." Zelensky said Kyiv would halt its attacks on Russian refineries for a month if Washington supplies the missiles within that same period.
Trump has been calling on Moscow and Kyiv to stop attacking each other's energy facilities. Patriot missiles are among the most important weapons Ukraine uses to intercept Russian drones and missiles.
When asked whether he feared his request could be seen as an attempt to "pressure" Trump, Zelensky denied this, saying: "I don't feel any worry when I share the truth with partners."
On Friday, the Trump administration approved a potential sale to Ukraine of 500 Patriot missiles, according to the US State Department, but Zelensky warned that delivery of the missiles could take years. Ukrainian authorities had warned for weeks that their stock of interceptor missiles was running low.
The Ukrainian president suggested that the United States and its European allies supply his country with missiles from their existing stockpiles, with these quantities to be replenished later through the new deal.
