Ukraine abandons energy ceasefire and resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, declaring Kyiv was “done” with an energy ceasefire unilaterally announced by US President Donald Trump. “The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done,” Zelenskyy said.

Trump on Sunday unilaterally announced an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine paused its strikes for three days at Washington’s request, but Moscow kept firing. Zelenskyy said Russia launched approximately 40 ballistic missiles at Ukrainian energy infrastructure during the pause. He told the Financial Times he had warned US officials that Russia would violate the ceasefire.

The US has pressured Ukraine to halt refinery strikes, tying the suspension to fuel price reduction. Washington claimed a pause in attacks combined with a deal to purchase 1.8 million tonnes of diesel from Russia would help lower soaring fuel prices. Trump announced the ceasefire in an effort to stop attacks on power facilities and reduce the price of oil and diesel ahead of US midterm elections next month. Zelenskyy acknowledged the domestic American politics at play but expressed deep discomfort with the arrangement. “This politically is not simple [in America], because everybody will want to ask how it can be when some people are surviving, fighting, dying – and you make . . . business with the guys with such aggression,” he told the FT. The friction between Washington and Kyiv had been building before the ceasefire announcement. Trump called on Saturday for Zelenskyy to be replaced.

Ryazan refinery hit

Russia’s defence ministry said Ukraine attempted a large-scale attack on an oil refinery in Ryazan, about 180 km south of Moscow. “The Kyiv regime attempted a large-scale attack on an oil refinery in Ryazan,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that a “fire broke out after drone debris fell onto the refinery site.” The report came on Thursday, the same day Zelenskyy was due to meet European leaders in Brussels.

Starlink curbs and an intelligence dispute

Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Zelenskyy on defense technology, said SpaceX implemented a speed limit on Starlink terminals in motion without notifying Ukrainian defense forces. “It is clear that this action cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation,” Beskrestnov said. Ukraine has been stripped of advance warnings of incoming ballistic missiles due to the connectivity restrictions, which apply to the military-grade Starshield system used by Ukrainian armed forces. Elon Musk posted on X on Wednesday that “Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” and that only the US military and Trump had authority to limit usage. In a separate post, Musk called for Zelenskyy to go, writing, “Time for Zelensky to go.” Zelenskyy described the reported Starlink shutdown as an “absolutely crazy” move inconsistent with behavior expected between partners. He also accused the US of withdrawing crucial intelligence sharing. Trump has denied that the US stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine.

Brussels and the funding gap

Zelenskyy is due to meet European leaders in Brussels on Thursday as he pushes for tougher sanctions on Moscow and faster delivery of support from the European Union. The EU has pledged $50 billion in support for Ukraine next year, far short of the $175 billion Kyiv plans to spend on its defences. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten called on EU leaders to step up their game to ensure Ukraine wins the war against Russia.

In an interview with Piers Morgan released late Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he felt let down by Trump’s dealings with Vladimir Putin, Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and the Starshield speed limits. Asked whether he felt betrayed, Zelenskyy answered, “Really, yes,” but stressed that Ukraine’s survival and its strategic relationship with the US mattered more than his personal emotions. He said he would pause strikes on Russian energy sites again, but only if the US supplied Ukraine with crucial Patriot interceptors.