Zelensky Faces Allied Pressure Over Russian Energy Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says several allied governments have urged Kyiv to reduce attacks on Russian energy facilities as global fuel markets tighten.

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In a voice message sent to journalists, Zelensky said partners had contacted his government asking whether strikes on Russia’s oil and energy infrastructure could be scaled back. He said Ukraine would only consider limiting such operations if Moscow stopped targeting Ukrainian energy assets.

Allies call for restraint

Kyiv has framed its strikes as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukraine’s own power system. Zelensky said the policy was straightforward: if Russia halted strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Ukraine would refrain from hitting Russian facilities.

The president did not identify which countries had raised concerns.

Global energy pressures

The appeal from partners comes during a period of heightened pressure on global fuel supplies following the war involving Iran and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key oil transport routes.

Rising energy prices have already prompted the United States to relax some sanctions on Russian oil exports. Despite Western sanctions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia continues to sell large volumes of crude abroad.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, China and India accounted for roughly 85% of Russian crude exports in February.

Meanwhile, the European Union remains a major buyer of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas, taking about a third of pipeline gas exports and nearly half of LNG shipments.

Energy infrastructure under attack

Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone and missile strikes against Russian energy targets in recent months. One of the most prominent attacks hit the oil export terminal at the port of Ust-Luga port near Saint Petersburg.

Zelensky said the strike earlier in the week disabled about 60% of the terminal’s capacity, though independent verification of the damage is limited.

Both sides treat details of attacks on energy facilities as sensitive information, leaving uncertainty over the overall impact of Ukraine’s operations on Russia’s fuel exports.

Russia has also continued attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including power stations, refineries and defence factories. Those strikes have severely damaged the country’s energy system and disrupted supplies during winter months.

More than a million Ukrainians were left without electricity or heating during cold periods following waves of Russian strikes.

Fuel supply concerns in Ukraine

The attacks have also complicated Ukraine’s own fuel supply. Heavy damage to domestic refineries has increased reliance on imports from European partners including Poland, Greece, Lithuania and Turkey.

Hungary previously supplied nearly half of Ukraine’s imported gas, but deliveries appear to have stopped amid tensions with Hungary over a pipeline carrying Russian oil across its territory and a stalled EU financial package.

Zelensky said Ukraine’s military currently has enough fuel supplies but warned that rising global prices could strain the country’s ability to sustain operations.

Gulf tour and defence cooperation

The Ukrainian leader spoke after a diplomatic tour of the Middle East that included visits to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan.

During the trip he promoted Ukraine’s drone technology and sought support to help defend the country from Russian missile attacks.

Zelensky also said Ukraine’s experience maintaining grain exports through the Black Sea despite Russian pressure could provide lessons for keeping shipping routes open elsewhere, including through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 31 March 2026