Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries on Thursday, defying direct pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to halt the attacks. The decision followed Trump’s announcement of a surprise ‘energy ceasefire’ with Russia, which included a deal to purchase Russian diesel, a move Zelensky called a ‘betrayal.’
The strikes marked the first Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure since Trump’s ceasefire announcement. A drone strike on a major oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region caused a large fire, though no casualties were reported. Ukrainian officials stated the attacks would continue after Moscow failed to reciprocate the ceasefire, with EU leaders warning that Russia had escalated hostilities despite the temporary halt in Ukrainian strikes.
Trump renews criticism of Zelensky
Trump publicly condemned the renewed strikes, calling them ‘a disgrace’ and blaming Ukraine for driving up global energy prices. In an interview with Newsmax, he reiterated his view that Zelensky is ‘more difficult to deal with than [Vladimir] Putin,’ and suggested Ukraine’s leadership was unwilling to negotiate a settlement. Trump also accused Zelensky of ‘not wanting to settle,’ despite Zelensky’s repeated public statements in favor of peace talks.
EU leaders urge Zelensky to tone down rhetoric
At a summit in Brussels, EU leaders, including European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, met with Zelensky to discuss further support for Ukraine. According to reports, EU officials privately urged Zelensky to moderate his public criticism of Trump, with one diplomat stating that his rhetoric was ‘not helpful.’ Von der Leyen emphasized that Russia had not respected the ceasefire, reinforcing the EU’s stance that sanctions on Moscow should remain in place until the war ends.
Zelensky praises European support amid tensions
Zelensky acknowledged Europe’s backing, calling EU leaders ‘real leaders’ for their continued support since the war began. He reiterated Ukraine’s position that Russia had not shown any willingness to end the conflict, despite the ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure continued, with 14 people injured in a drone attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
Background: Escalating US-Ukraine tensions
The renewed strikes followed a series of contentious US decisions that Zelensky criticized as undermining Ukraine’s war effort. These included the withdrawal of American intelligence sharing and the weakening of Starlink satellite services, which Zelensky described as ‘dangerous’ amid intensified Russian attacks. The US also lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports as part of the energy ceasefire deal, a move that Ukraine and some US lawmakers condemned as a ‘gift to Putin.’
Putin vows retaliation
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the Ukrainian strikes by vowing ‘revenge,’ accusing Kyiv of escalating the conflict. The Kremlin has framed the strikes as a violation of the ceasefire, despite Ukraine’s assertion that Russia never honored the temporary halt in hostilities.