Defying Trump, Zelensky says he will continue to attack Russian refineries
Last week, Trump unilaterally announced an "energy ceasefire" that was never publicly confirmed, and Moscow continued to attack Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv / GENYA SAVILOV
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country would resume attacks on Russian oil refineries and adopted a notably more defiant tone toward U.S. President Donald Trump in an interview published Thursday by the Financial Times (FT).
Since Trump returned to power, Washington's support for Ukraine has fluctuated in step with his unpredictable social media comments, which have often taken Moscow and Kyiv by surprise.
Last week, Trump unilaterally announced an "energy cease-fire" that was never publicly confirmed, and Moscow continued to attack Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
But following a wave of new Russian attacks on facilities on Wednesday, Zelensky told the FT: "The block (on attacking refineries) is out. We're done."
Russia claimed on Thursday that Ukraine had attacked an oil refinery in Ryazan, south of the capital, Moscow.
Since Russia launched its invasion in 2022, Ukraine has faced repeated attacks on its energy infrastructure and has gradually expanded what it considers retaliatory strikes into Russian territory, including refineries.
Trump criticized the attacks, especially after striking a surprise deal with Moscow on diesel fuel and ordering Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine suspended the attacks for several days, despite Russian claims, denied by Kyiv, that Ukraine attempted to attack refineries during that period.
Despite having complied with the agreement, Zelensky stated that Ukraine's access to key U.S. military and intelligence capabilities was restricted.
Starshield, the satellite network built on Starlink and used by the armed forces, experienced slowdowns on Wednesday.
"It was not a technical problem, it was the will," Zelensky told the Financial Times.
He also warned of a "dangerous" disruption in intelligence sharing with Kyiv, which relies heavily on early warnings to protect its cities from Russian airstrikes.
The relationship with Washington
Since then, the Ukrainian presidency has worked to smooth relations with Washington, trying to adapt to Trump's shifting positions.
In the interview, Zelensky made a pointed comment about the relationship between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump "speaks about it openly and loudly that he loves such people and he respects such people. Because for him people who can be leaders 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, it means they can be very strong," he said.
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