Zelensky Offers Peace Terms to Russia Amid Ally Concerns Over Oil Infrastructure Attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a reciprocal energy truce to Russia, offering to reduce long-range strikes on Russian oil infrastructure if Moscow halts its attacks on the Ukrainian power grid. The proposal was relayed to the Kremlin through the United States.

The offer follows signals from some of Ukraine’s allies urging Kyiv to scale back its targeting of Russia’s oil sector. These allies have expressed concerns that such strikes are contributing to rising global energy prices.

Terms of the Energy Truce

President Zelensky stated he would be willing to reduce the frequency and scale of attacks on Russian oil assets, provided that Russia reciprocates by stopping its strikes on the Ukrainian energy grid. The Ukrainian leader intends for the U.S. To act as the intermediary in communicating this proposal to Russian leadership.

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The Kremlin has reacted coolly to the idea, stating that it does not have a detailed truce proposal from the Ukrainian side.

Escalation of Oil Infrastructure Strikes

Despite the diplomatic overtures and pressure from Western allies, Ukraine has intensified its operations against Russian energy facilities. The Institute for the Study of War reports a noticeable increase in attacks, specifically focusing on oil infrastructure in the Leningrad oblast and the Russian Baltic Sea port, which are critical for Russian oil exports.

Recent military actions include three strikes targeting infrastructure at the Primorsk port within a two-week period. Russian officials also reported that Ukrainian drones struck a Baltic pipeline near St Petersburg and an oil refinery operated by Lukoil. The governor of Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region reported that air defense units repelled a barrage of 30 drones.

Other reported strikes include a drone attack causing a fire at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and a strike in Luhansk that Russia claims trapped 41 miners.

Broader Peace Negotiations

The energy truce proposal exists alongside broader efforts to establish a peace process. In December 2025, President Zelensky signaled a willingness to make concessions on key negotiating points to avoid stalling a nascent peace process with Moscow.

Zelensky detailed a 20-point plan, described as a political document involving Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and Russia. This draft is a condensed version of an original 28-point plan previously discussed by the U.S. And Russia.

As part of these discussions, Zelensky outlined what Ukraine considers an acceptable compromise regarding the withdrawal of troops from portions of the Donetsk region currently not held by Russian forces. This includes the fortress belt of fortified cities such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained that Ukraine must cede the entirety of Donetsk for a peace plan to be viable.

The peace framework also includes discussions on security guarantees between Ukraine, the United States, and European countries.

Current Strategic Context

The conflict enters a precarious phase as Ukraine faces internal challenges, including a conscription crisis where reports suggest 2 million people are dodging the draft. Simultaneously, military resources are stretched, and international attention has been diverted by other global tensions, specifically involving Iran.

President Zelensky has expressed concern that a prolonged war between the U.S. And Iran could divert critical support away from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to mobilize resources for its drone forces, offering large payments to students to join these units.