- Ukraine and Russia are reportedly negotiating to potentially halt airstrikes on each other’s energy facilities, reviving talks mediated by Qatar.
- President Zelenskiy suggested that a deal to protect energy infrastructure could indicate Russia’s willingness to engage in broader peace discussions despite Moscow’s unacceptable conditions.
Ukraine and Russia have reportedly begun early negotiations to potentially halt airstrikes on each other’s energy facilities, according to the Financial Times, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the discussions. The report indicates that Ukraine is seeking to revive talks that nearly reached an agreement in August with mediation from Qatar.
While the Kremlin has not commented on the situation, President Zelenskiy’s office has also not responded to inquiries from the Financial Times. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a significant portion of Ukraine’s power capacity has been destroyed or seized due to attacks on its energy infrastructure. This has forced Kyiv to rely heavily on its nuclear power facilities and imports from Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted last month that Russian assaults have incapacitated over half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. She noted that the European Union is working to restore 2.5 gigawatts of capacity, which accounts for approximately 15% of Ukraine’s energy needs, through proposed EU-funded repairs.
Initially lacking powerful long-range weapons, Ukraine has since developed long-range attack drones, enabling it to target deep within Russia, including oil refineries, power plants, and military airfields.
In October 2024, Zelenskiy indicated that a potential agreement to protect energy facilities could reflect a Russian willingness to engage in broader peace negotiations. However, Moscow has set conditions that Kyiv considers unacceptable, complicating the prospect of a comprehensive peace deal.