Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to resume attacks on Russian oil refineries after a proposed energy ceasefire collapsed, while adopting a more defiant tone towards United States President Donald Trump.
In an interview published by the Financial Times on Thursday, Zelensky said Ukraine had lifted its pause on strikes against Russian refineries following renewed Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
“The block (on attacking refineries) is out. We’re done,” he said.
Trump last week announced an “energy ceasefire”, but the arrangement was not publicly confirmed. Moscow continued striking Ukrainian energy facilities, prompting Kyiv to reconsider its restraint.
Russia on Thursday accused Ukraine of attacking an oil refinery in Ryazan, south of Moscow.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has endured repeated attacks on its power infrastructure and expanded retaliatory strikes into Russian territory, including against oil refineries.
Trump has criticised the Ukrainian attacks, particularly after reaching a surprise diesel deal with Moscow and directing Kyiv to stop targeting Russian refineries.
Zelensky said Ukraine had paused the strikes for several days despite Russia’s claims, which Kyiv denied, that Ukrainian forces attempted to attack refineries during the period.
However, he said Ukraine’s access to key US military capabilities and intelligence had been restricted despite its compliance.
The Starshield satellite network, developed by SpaceX and based on Starlink technology, was also reportedly slowed on Wednesday.
“It was not a technical problem; it was the will,” Zelensky told the Financial Times.
He also warned that cutting off intelligence sharing with Ukraine would be “dangerous”, noting that Kyiv relies heavily on early warnings to protect its cities from Russian air attacks.
Concerns over a possible reduction in US intelligence cooperation had emerged earlier in Trump’s presidency following a public clash between the two leaders.
Since then, Zelensky’s administration has sought to repair relations with Washington amid shifting US positions on the war.
In the interview, Zelensky also commented on Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump “speaks about it openly and loudly that he loves such people and he respects such people. Because for him people who can be leaders 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, it means they can be very strong,” Zelensky said.
