Ukraine's Zelensky defies Trump with Russian refinery strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Ukraine would no longer adhere to US President Donald Trump's demand to refrain from attacking Russian oil refineries. This decision comes amid escalating tensions between the two leaders over a US-Russia diesel supply agreement. Relations between Kyiv and Washington have deteriorated since Trump eased sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing vast quantities of diesel into global markets.

Zelensky criticized the deal as a "weak decision," asserting it would encourage Russia to prolong its four-and-a-half-year war with Ukraine. Several European allies of Ukraine also condemned the agreement. Trump defended the decision, attributing the rising diesel prices to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and urging Zelensky to appoint a new president.

The US president announced a surprise "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, but Zelensky denied knowledge of this development. Earlier this week, Ukraine reported disruptions to a crucial US satellite communications system, known as Starshield, utilized by the Ukrainian military for battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territories, and interceptor drones.

Zelensky expressed the need for honesty from US partners regarding the ongoing conflict. In a recent interview, Zelensky stated he felt betrayed by Trump's diesel-supply deal with Putin and questioned the advice Trump received, as Ukrainian officials in Kyiv accused the US of aiding Russia.