Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that his country will continue attacking Russian oil refineries, defying calls from former President Donald Trump to halt the strikes. Zelenskyy indicated to Fox News that these attacks are a necessary response to Russian aggression and that Ukraine will persist unless the U.S. provides Patriot missiles to defend its energy infrastructure.
In an interview conducted in Kyiv, Zelenskyy acknowledged discussions with the Trump administration regarding the targeting of Russian oil facilities. Trump has previously suggested that these attacks have contributed to rising gas prices in the United States. Zelenskyy countered by saying, "If you want us not to attack Russia's refineries, they have not to attack our energy system."
Ukraine has reported frequent Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure, leading to power outages as winter approaches. Zelenskyy emphasized the retaliatory nature of Ukraine's actions, stating, "Our response has to be painful for Russian military people. If we will not respond on energy, they will continue."
Zelenskyy suggested that Ukraine might reconsider its strikes on Russian oil facilities if the U.S. were to supply more Patriot missile interceptors. When pressed about whether this was an attempt to leverage Trump, Zelenskyy asserted, "I don't have any concerns when I share the truth between partners."
He added, "Our countries are huge partners. American society (is a) huge supporter. And that's why I have to share with (the) president the truth, the real situation: that America can't help Russia. (The) president can't help Putin."
Zelenskyy also proposed that Trump could advocate for an "energy ceasefire" during upcoming peace talks in the United Arab Emirates, where both Russia and Ukraine would refrain from attacking energy facilities. "If the American president thinks that this war has influence on the prices," Zelenskyy said, "he can ask, energy ceasefire, during (the) Abu Dhabi trilateral meeting: energy ceasefire."
The Ukrainian president welcomed a recent humanitarian truce brokered by former First Lady Melania Trump, which allowed residents to evacuate the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky. Zelenskyy called the evacuations "a huge result" and expressed gratitude for her initiative, noting its helpfulness.
Trump had previously struck a deal in October to import Russian diesel into the United States, a move that reportedly raised concerns among some foreign policy experts regarding its potential impact on the conflict.