Ukraine to Resume Refinery Strikes After US Support Concerns, Zelensky Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, ending a three-day pause that he said was initiated at the request of the United States. Zelensky accused the U.S. of withdrawing critical intelligence sharing and suggested a recent slowdown of Starlink satellite services, vital for Ukraine's military, was a deliberate act.

Zelensky told the Financial Times that U.S. officials had warned Ukraine that "if you will not stop [the strikes], we will block intelligence." Ukraine's military relies on early-warning alerts from the U.S. to effectively deploy its air defenses. He also stated that the pause in attacks on Russian energy infrastructure was over, asserting that Russia continued to strike Ukrainian energy facilities throughout the period.

"We're done," Zelensky said, indicating his frustration with the U.S. stance. He previously agreed to an "energy ceasefire" proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, but stated he would only continue this pause if Russia also abided by it. Zelensky claimed Russia violated the proposed deal within hours, with subsequent strikes leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power.

Ukraine has been seeking more Patriot air defense missiles from the U.S. amid shortages that have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. Zelensky indicated that he would only halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, which Kyiv views as crucial for cutting off revenue for its war effort, if the U.S. supplied more of these defensive systems.

Zelensky expressed a sense of betrayal by the U.S. following what he perceived as a withdrawal of key support elements. He suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump has an affinity for autocratic leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky also criticized a recent agreement between Russia and the U.S. to release diesel to the global market, calling it an indirect investment in Russia's war effort. He speculated that further such deals concerning natural gas could follow.

The Ukrainian president's comments come amidst broader tensions regarding U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly as Ukraine faces challenges in its defense against Russian aggression. The conflict has also impacted global energy prices, contributing to domestic political considerations in the United States.