Zelensky: If Russia causes blackouts, Ukraine will try to respond in kind
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is able to respond adequately to Russian strikes, including on the energy grid, while also calling for a path toward negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking with journalist Fareed Zakaria at the Yalta European Strategy forum, said Ukraine has learned to find ways to respond adequately to Russian attacks.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine does not compare its actions to the humanitarian catastrophes Russia is currently causing, and that Ukraine would not act that way. Nevertheless, he said, Ukraine is capable of responding to Russia for any operation it carries out.
The president warned that Russia knows that if it strikes Ukraine's energy system this winter, as it is reportedly preparing to do, Russia will receive the same in return. If Russia causes blackouts in Ukraine, Ukraine will try to respond in a fitting manner.
An alternative — negotiations
Zelensky added that there is another option — talks. In his view, if Russia does not want to end the war, partners need to find an approach toward it. If that proves difficult, then at least progress should be made step by step, starting with unblocking the Black Sea and finding a way to reach an energy truce that would protect both countries' energy infrastructure.
The president also said that the exchange of prisoners of war must continue, along with the return of civilians, journalists and other citizens who have been detained or imprisoned in Russia.
