Ukraine will no longer abide by US President Donald Trump’s demands to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, amid a deepening rift over a US-Russia diesel deal.
“The block (on attacking refineries) is out,” Zelenskyy told the Financial Times in an interview published on Thursday. “We’re done.”
Relations between Kiev and Washington have soured since Trump eased sanctions on Russia last week in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets.
Zelenskyy called the agreement a “weak decision” that would encourage Russia to prolong the war, while several European allies also criticised it.
Trump blamed Ukrainian refinery attacks for rising diesel prices and said on Saturday that it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president”. He later announced a surprise “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, which Zelenskyy said he knew nothing about.
In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on Wednesday, Zelenskyy agreed that he felt “betrayed” by the diesel deal.
“It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side,” he said. “I think his advisors are wrong. This is not (the) right side of history.”
Since 2022, Russia has repeatedly struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure, causing power and heating shortages. Ukraine has targeted Russian refineries it says help fund the war.
Zelenskyy in Brussels
After meeting Zelenskyy in Brussels on Thursday, NATO chief Mark Rutte said they discussed “implementing an energy ceasefire as well as NATO allies’ continuous support for Ukraine”.
Zelenskyy made no mention of a ceasefire in his account of the meeting on X.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of undermining US peace efforts after Russian authorities reported a drone attack that set a refinery south of Moscow ablaze.
Satellite row
Restrictions on the US-controlled Starshield satellite system, which Ukraine uses to detect Russian attacks and coordinate battlefield operations, have fuelled anger in Kiev.
Defence officials confirmed that the US had threatened to withdraw intelligence-sharing if Ukraine continued long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries. Officials also reported slower Starshield speeds on Wednesday, affecting connectivity.
Ballistic missiles struck Kiev and the surrounding region on Tuesday and Wednesday night before air raid sirens could warn residents to take cover.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk denied his company was responsible for disruptions.
“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.
