KUSHNER PRESSES UKRAINE TO HALT REFINERY STRIKES—ZELENSKYY DEMANDS RECIPROCITY
Ukraine was again asked to stop striking Russia’s oil refineries during the October 20 talks in Oslo. According to Axios, Jared Kushner joined remotely and pressed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt the attacks.
Zelenskyy’s answer was straightforward: Ukraine is prepared to stop if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
That condition belongs at the center of these discussions. Ukrainian families need electricity, heating and functioning water supplies. Their power stations and substations deserve protection just as urgently as Washington wants relief for fuel markets.
Refinery strikes put pressure on Russia’s fuel production and distribution, affecting an industry that supplies its military and generates revenue for the state waging this war. Asking Ukraine to surrender that pressure requires something concrete from Moscow in return.
Axios reports that the White House hopes sanctions relief for Russian diesel sales will encourage Putin to compromise. That hope must now be measured against Russian actions. Concessions already granted to Moscow cannot substitute for an enforceable commitment to stop attacking Ukraine.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has since met Putin in St. Petersburg, following the discussions with Ukraine and European partners. The test is whether those diplomatic efforts produce Russian restraint.
Ukraine has put a reciprocal offer on the table. The pressure must now reach the government ordering the attacks.