{
  "id": 13695263,
  "title": "Zelensky Stands by Russian Refinery Strikes As Trump Demands He’s Replaced",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/zelensky-stands-by-russian-refinery-strikes-as-trump-demands-hes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T10:15:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/zelensky-stands-by-russian-refinery-strikes-as-trump-demands-hes-replaced-12552539"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reaffirmed his country's stance on halting attacks on Russian oil refineries, contingent upon a cessation of Russian strikes on Ukraine's own energy facilities. This ultimatum was issued in response to President Donald Trump's recent call for Zelensky's replacement, following a contentious deal between the two leaders that permits Russian diesel fuel exports in return for reduced sanctions on Russian energy products.\n\nZelensky unequivocally placed the blame for the ongoing war in Europe squarely on Russia, attributing it to the refusal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to take measures aimed at de-escalating the conflict. \"The real cause of the war in Europe is Russia and Russia alone,\" he declared. \"It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so.\"\n\nThe Ukrainian leader emphasized that Kyiv would only suspend its offensive operations against Russian refineries if Moscow agrees to halt its own attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Zelensky stressed that any such cessation must be reciprocal in nature and supported by verifiable guarantees from both sides. He reiterated that such steps should constitute a mutual effort to bring the conflict to a peaceful resolution.\n\nThis position emerges from a growing rift between Kyiv and Washington over the Trump-Putin agreement, which has become a point of contention in the ongoing dispute. Trump had publicly criticized Zelensky on Saturday for Ukraine's ongoing bombardment of Russian refineries, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader should reconsider his actions or be replaced by another individual. This narrative continues to unfold, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.",
  "summary": "Zelensky offered to halt strikes on Russian refineries only if Moscow stops attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}