Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum on 2026-10-12, responding to former US President Donald Trump’s proposal for an ‘energy ceasefire’ between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine possesses only a single oil refinery, a fact he presented as part of his assessment of the country’s energy vulnerabilities.
He stated that Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian power plants and energy grids each winter, including the current winter, which has resulted in daily power outages across Ukraine.
He added that Ukraine is waiting to see what specific steps the United States is prepared to take in the negotiations with Russia concerning the energy truce.
Zelensky warned that should Russia refuse to agree to an energy ceasefire this winter, Ukraine would respond with retaliatory measures.
He pointed out that Ukraine imports substantial quantities of diesel fuel and other petroleum products, leaving the country exposed to any disruption in energy supplies.
Zelensky said that for Ukraine to cease its long‑range strikes on Russian oil refineries and oil exports, Russia must halt its attacks on Ukraine’s energy system and critical infrastructure and end the killing of Ukrainian civilians.
At the forum, Zelensky declared that Ukraine is ready to sign guarantees for an ‘energy truce’ that would involve the United States, on the condition that Russia also shows its agreement to the measure.
He added that Ukraine is waiting to see what specific steps the United States is prepared to take in the negotiations with Russia concerning the energy truce.
Zelensky stressed that the proposed energy truce could become an important step toward ending the war if the United States intervenes to guarantee that Russia stops its attacks on Ukrainian power plants and the energy grid.
He expressed gratitude to the United States for the proposal while noting that no one in Europe desires war or holds ill will toward America, with the sole exception being Russia.
Zelensky said that Trump’s announcement of the supposed ‘energy truce’ on Truth Social on the preceding Sunday had taken him by surprise.
Speaking via videoconference at the Warsaw security forum, Zelensky warned that Ukraine would respond militarily if Russia refuses to accept a ceasefire that protects its energy infrastructure.
He accused Moscow of breaking the truce within its first hours by striking a gas site and a service station, while emphasizing that Ukraine had not attacked any energy facilities.
Zelensky observed that Russian jet drones continued to fly over Kyiv, indicating ongoing surveillance or pressure.
He urged the United States to keep economic pressure on Russia and avoid lifting sanctions, referencing Trump’s statement about lifting sanctions to facilitate large diesel shipments intended to lower US fuel prices before elections.
All of the actions described—Zelensky’s address at the Warsaw Security Forum, Trump’s Truth Social announcement of the energy ceasefire, the reported intensification of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Zelensky’s warning of a Ukrainian response, the overnight Russian strike on a gas site and service station, and Trump’s mention of lifting sanctions for diesel deliveries—took place on the same date, 2026-10-12.