Rubio says US will seek energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated at a press conference in New York on September 23 that Washington would attempt to broker an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, though he acknowledged this would be challenging.

Both sides use energy as a weapon

Rubio explained the difficulty: "Ukrainians are hurting Russians by hitting their energy sector, which is their source of income. The Russian side is causing pain to Ukraine by attacking its power grid, especially ahead of winter. The problem is that both sides have identified energy as a strategic military objective," he said.

"That is why it is not so simple to suddenly say: let us make a deal," Rubio added. At the same time, he noted that an energy ceasefire would be mutually beneficial for both Ukraine and Russia.