Zelenskyy Vows to Resume Strikes on Russian Refineries Amid Strained US Ties

POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that Ukraine will restart its campaign of strikes against Russian oil refineries. In a candid interview with the Financial Times, the Ukrainian leader signaled that previous constraints on these operations have been lifted, stating that the block is out and the country is finished with those limitations.

This announcement highlights a deepening rift between Kyiv and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy expressed significant frustration regarding a recent deal brokered by Trump to purchase Russian diesel, a move intended to lower energy costs ahead of midterm elections, which the Ukrainian president characterized as a victory for the Kremlin.

Tensions have been further exacerbated by reports that the U.S. threatened to withhold intelligence sharing if Ukraine continued its energy strikes. Furthermore, Ukrainian officials have raised alarms over restricted access to Starlink satellite services, which they claim has hampered military operations and left forces vulnerable to Russian drone attacks.

During a separate appearance on the YouTube program Piers Morgan Uncensored, Zelenskyy confirmed he felt betrayed by the current U.S. administration. He emphasized that while Ukraine remains committed to its defense, the lack of intelligence support and technical disruptions are creating dangerous leverage for Russian forces on the front lines.

Elon Musk, responding to the concerns regarding Starlink, noted that the Starshield system is under U.S. government control and that commercial Starlink services are not intended for offensive military actions. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate, with recent Russian strikes leaving over 600,000 people in Ukraine without power.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)