Ukraine Resumes Russian Refinery Strikes as Zelensky Defies Trump Energy Truce
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Ukraine has resumed its attacks on Russian oil refineries with a strike on a facility in the Ryazan region, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's declaration that Kyiv's patience had run out with Russia's continued assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure despite a US-brokered energy ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump. In a sharp rebuke of Washington, Zelensky condemned what he described as Trump's favoritism toward Moscow and his apparent admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian leader told the Financial Times that the block on attacking refineries was now lifted, signaling an end to Kyiv's compliance with the ceasefire deal.
Key Points
- Ukrainian drones struck a major oil refinery in the Ryazan region of Russia on Thursday, sparking a fire at the installation, according to Governor Pavel Malkov
- Zelensky told the Financial Times that Ukraine's patience had expired, saying "The block is out. We're done" after Russia continued attacking Ukrainian power stations
- Since Trump's surprise announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, Kyiv had suspended refinery attacks, but Russia pressed ahead with strikes that knocked out power to 600,000 Ukrainians
- Trump announced a diesel supply deal with Russia on Saturday aimed at lowering fuel prices that have surged since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February, while also calling for Ukraine to replace Zelensky
- Putin dismissed the effectiveness of Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russian refineries, stating they had caused "nothing particularly significant"
Why It Matters
The resumption of Ukrainian refinery strikes marks a significant breakdown in Trump's diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire, exposing deep tensions between Kyiv and Washington over the US approach to Russia. The conflict threatens to destabilize global energy markets already shaken by the Middle East crisis, while the breakdown in intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine raises serious concerns about the future of their military cooperation .
The resumption of Ukrainian refinery strikes marks a significant breakdown in Trump's diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire, exposing deep tensions between Kyiv and Washington over the US approach to Russia. The conflict threatens to destabilize global energy markets already shaken by the Middle East crisis, while the breakdown in intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine raises serious concerns about the future of their military cooperation .