Zelenskiy reportedly says Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian refineries
USO•Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian refineries after a two-day pause following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would only consider halting energy strikes in exchange for more U.S.-made Patriot interceptors.
1. Strikes to resume
Zelenskiy said Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian refineries, saying the block on attacking them was over. Ukraine had paused strikes on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure for two days following Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire, he said earlier this week.
2. U.S. support concerns
Zelenskiy said Ukraine had been left without U.S. early-warning alerts for incoming ballistic missiles, while Starlink service had been slowed across the country, hampering frontline operations and medium-range strikes. He said Ukrainian military officials were told that intelligence would be blocked if the energy strikes continued, although the warning was later presented to Kyiv as a technical glitch.
3. Patriot interceptors sought
Asked whether Ukraine would halt energy strikes to repair relations with the White House, Zelenskiy said he could agree only in return for more U.S.-made Patriot interceptors, which he called the minimum acceptable.
