Zelenskyy Offers US ‘Diesel Deal’ in Exchange for Protection of Ukraine’s Power Infrastructure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a “diesel deal” with the United States, saying Ukraine could stop retaliatory attacks on Russian diesel facilities if Kyiv receives firm guarantees that its electricity infrastructure will be protected from Russian strikes.

According to a report by TVC News Nigeria on Monday, October 12, 2026, Zelenskyy presented the proposal in a post on X, arguing that discussions about Russian diesel exports should focus more on energy security than on their possible impact on global fuel prices.

The Ukrainian president questioned whether Russia’s diesel shipments were large enough to significantly influence international oil markets. He estimated that Russia exports between 300,000 and 500,000 tonnes of diesel every month, while global consumption stands at approximately 120 million tonnes monthly.

Zelenskyy argued that Russia’s exports were relatively small compared with worldwide demand and were unlikely to have a major effect on prices.

He also questioned why the United States would consider arrangements involving Russian diesel without exploring a similar agreement with Ukraine. He suggested that Washington should give Kyiv the opportunity to propose its own deal.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine has the ability to influence maritime movements and refinery operations, which could become important elements of negotiations over a possible agreement.

However, he made it clear that protecting Ukraine’s electricity system would be the central condition. He said Kyiv would be willing to refrain from retaliatory strikes against Russian diesel infrastructure if it received adequate assurances that its power facilities would be safeguarded against Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy stressed that electricity supplies remain a major priority for Ukraine, as repeated attacks on energy facilities have disrupted power generation and other essential services. Such damage has created difficulties for households, businesses and industrial operations across the country.

He also argued that protecting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure could benefit other European countries. According to him, maintaining reliable electricity supplies would allow Ukraine to assist nations experiencing shortages by providing them with more affordable power.

The proposal comes amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict, in which energy infrastructure has remained a significant target. Attacks on power stations, transmission networks and other critical facilities have increased concerns about energy security and the impact of the war on civilians.

Zelenskyy’s suggested arrangement would link Ukraine’s decision to halt retaliatory attacks on Russian diesel facilities with guarantees against further Russian strikes on its electricity system.

However, several details would need to be resolved before such an agreement could be implemented. These include the specific security guarantees, how both sides would be expected to comply with the terms, and what consequences would follow if either party violated the arrangement.

It also remains unclear what level of protection the United States could provide and whether other international partners would be involved.

As of Monday, October 12, 2026, Zelenskyy’s statement did not confirm that an agreement had been reached or that the US government had accepted his proposal.

He concluded by urging Washington to formalise the arrangement, calling on the United States to sign a corresponding “diesel deal” with Ukraine.

The proposal highlights Kyiv’s continuing efforts to secure its electricity infrastructure while exploring diplomatic options that could reduce attacks on energy facilities during the ongoing war.

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