Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Resume Russian Refinery Strikes, Defying Trump

Strikes and US pressure

Zelensky told the Financial Times that Ukraine would resume attacks on Russian oil refineries. He accused US officials of threatening to withhold intelligence if Kyiv continued striking them.

The Ukrainian leader said he would stop attacks on Russian oil infrastructure only if the United States provided additional Patriot air-defence missiles. Kyiv says refinery strikes help cut revenue for Russia’s war machine.

Dispute over a proposed deal

Zelensky said Russia ignored a proposed agreement within hours of its announcement, and that Russian strikes left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power. The Kremlin did not state that it had agreed to the deal.

Intelligence and Starlink claims

Zelensky alleged that the United States withdrew intelligence-sharing about Russian attacks to push Kyiv to end its refinery strikes. Trump denied stopping intelligence-sharing. Zelensky also said the slowdown of Starlink services used by Ukraine’s military was deliberate. Technical problems had been suggested as an explanation; Elon Musk appeared to reject that account and pointed toward the Trump administration.

Tensions between leaders

Zelensky said Trump had an affinity for autocratic leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their relationship has been strained before, including a heated Oval Office meeting after Trump returned to the White House last year.

At that meeting, Trump suggested Zelensky was the main obstacle to a peace agreement. The conflict has also driven up petrol prices, particularly diesel, souring Trump’s standing with the American public.