Zelensky Defies Trump on Russian Refinery Strikes

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected United States (US) President Donald Trump’s demand to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries, deepening tensions between Kyiv and Washington over a US-Russia diesel supply deal.

“The block (on attacking refineries) is out, we’re done.” Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview published on Thursday.

Relations between the two leaders have worsened since Trump eased sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets. Zelensky described the deal as a “weak decision”. He said it could encourage Russia to prolong its four-and-a-half-year war against Ukraine.

Several European allies of Kyiv have also criticised the agreement. Trump had blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for rising diesel prices. Speaking on Saturday, he said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president”.

On Sunday, Trump announced an unexpected “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. However, Zelensky said he had no prior knowledge of the agreement. Ukraine also reported disruptions to a key US satellite communications system used by its military earlier this week.

“We need HONESTY from our partners about this war,” Zelensky wrote on social media on Thursday.

In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on Wednesday, Zelensky said he felt “betrayed” by Trump’s diesel supply deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also questioned the advice Trump was receiving after senior Ukrainian officials accused the United States of helping Russia.

“It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side,” Zelensky said. “I think his advisors are wrong. This is not (the) right side of history.”

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure, causing power and heating shortages. Ukraine has responded with strikes on Russian oil refineries, which Kyiv says help fund the war.

Meanwhile, Trump’s war in Iran has contributed to oil shortages and price increases. The rising costs have created political challenges for his Republican Party before the US midterm elections next month.

Zelensky met NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels on Thursday. Rutte said they discussed the importance of “implementing an energy ceasefire” and continued NATO support for Ukraine. However, Zelensky did not mention a ceasefire in his post about the meeting on X.

The Kremlin accused Ukraine of weakening peace efforts by resuming attacks on Russian refineries. Russian authorities reported a drone attack on a refinery south of Moscow that caused a fire.

“Kyiv continues to launch strikes against these facilities,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He said the attacks conflicted with US efforts to begin a peace process. In Kyiv, residents also expressed concern about Washington’s changing approach to the war.

Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine and its capital in recent months, causing civilian casualties and disrupting daily life. Moscow currently occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. The dispute has also raised concerns about restrictions on Starshield, the satellite communications system Ukraine’s military uses to detect Russian attacks and coordinate operations.

Ukrainian defence officials said the United States had threatened to withdraw intelligence-sharing if Kyiv continued long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries. Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv and the surrounding region on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, before air raid sirens could warn residents to seek shelter.

However, Elon Musk, whose SpaceX operates Starshield, denied that his company had caused the reported disruption. Musk has also called for Zelensky to be replaced as Ukraine’s leader.

“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” Musk said. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” he added, referring to Trump.

Ukraine uses Starshield for military communications, strikes on Russian-occupied territory and interceptor drone operations. The system is separate from Starlink, SpaceX’s civilian satellite service, which Ukraine also uses but not for offensive operations. Ukrainian officials said slower connection speeds on Wednesday had affected military communications.