Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Requires 700,000 Tons Fuel Per Month

(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed Saturday that Ukraine consumes approximately 700,000 tons of diesel and gasoline every month — a figure that translates to annual national fuel requirements of between 7.2 and 7.4 million tons — while confirming that a landmark supply agreement had been sealed during his recent diplomatic sweep through the Gulf.

Addressing journalists via video call, Zelenskyy moved swiftly to reassure the public that the country's armed forces face no shortage of fuel, emphasizing that military readiness remains the government's overriding priority.

"As of today, the army is fully supplied. The army is our priority," he said.

Elaborating on the scale of the country's energy demands, Zelenskyy offered a precise breakdown, as reported by media: "We clearly understand the volumes. Total supplies of diesel and gasoline for the entire country, including the army, amount to about 700,000 tonnes per month. We roughly estimate annual volumes at 7.2 to 7.4 million tonnes."

The Ukrainian leader confirmed that the Middle East leg of his tour yielded a concrete and immediate energy dividend, telling reporters — as quoted by media — "Yesterday, I agreed on diesel for at least a year. That's it. Then it's a matter for our company and local companies."

Zelenskyy did not publicly identify the supplying party, framing the arrangement as the starting point for longer-term commercial negotiations between Ukrainian and regional energy firms.

The fuel deal represents only one strand of the sweeping diplomatic gains Kyiv secured during the Gulf visit. Zelenskyy also finalized defense cooperation agreements with both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and reached a separate understanding with the UAE to deepen security and defense collaboration — signaling a concerted effort by Kyiv to forge strategic partnerships well beyond its traditional Western allies.

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