Zelensky proposes halting strikes on refineries in exchange for Patriot missiles

Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, November 1, that Ukraine will stop strikes on Russian oil refineries, as President Donald Trump insists, if the US supplies Kyiv with interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.

According to him, each month of missile deliveries will mean a month without strikes on refineries.

This proposal turns the dispute over Ukraine’s long-range strikes into an alleged exchange for air defense assets. It came amid Russia escalating attacks on Ukraine’s energy system ahead of winter, and Trump facing pressure over high energy prices domestically.

“We will pay for this”

Zelensky told Fox News host Trey Yingst that he had “various and repeated” conversations with Trump and his team on this issue.

“We said: if you want us not to strike Russian refineries, let them not strike our energy system. The other option is to give us Patriot missiles, we will find the money, this will not just be aid,” he said.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine cannot sit idly by while Russia attacks its electricity and gas infrastructure and oil refineries and kills civilians.

Yingst asked whether such a proposal might look like an attempt to “pressure” Trump. Zelensky said no, and added: “It does not bother me at all that I am telling the partners the truth.”

Excerpts from the interview aired on “Fox News Sunday” along with Yingst’s report from Ukraine.

Sale approved, but deliveries years away

On October 30, the State Department approved the sale of Patriot interceptors to Ukraine worth about €1.9 billion. Zelensky warned that deliveries of 500 PAC-3 missiles may only begin in a few years.

Ukrainian officials have been saying for several weeks that interceptor stockpiles are running out.

Zelensky also proposed that the US and European allies transfer missiles to Ukraine from their own stockpiles now, and then replenish them through new purchases.

According to Alex Plitsas, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council (not on the organization’s staff), this deal will not solve Ukraine’s most pressing problems.

A tense situation

As The Wall Street Journal reported in late October, Ukraine, under pressure from Trump, informally suspended strikes on oil refineries: in mid-October, units were told to complete current tasks and not start new ones.

Kyiv claims that Russian energy facilities support the war effort. Strikes caused fuel shortages in Russia, and queues formed at gas stations.

In addition, on Sunday, November 1, a local truce in the area of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast ended: according to Ukrainian officials, Moscow refused to extend it. Russia-Ukraine talks mediated by the US are due to resume this month.