— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is rejecting demands from the Trump administration that Kyiv stop striking Russian oil refineries, telling Fox News that Ukraine’s retaliation “must be painful.”
In an interview in Kyiv, Zelenskyy confirmed that he and his advisers have discussed attacks on Russian energy facilities with the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has blamed the strikes in part for driving up gas prices in the United States.
“We had different conversations — different, and several — with President Trump and with his team about attacks on refineries,” Zelenskyy said.
“We said that if you want us not to attack Russia’s refineries, they have not to attack our energy system.”
Speaking to Fox News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on President Donald Trump to seek an energy ceasefire with Russia as Washington presses Kyiv to halt strikes against Russian oil refineries. (Fox News)
Ukraine says Russia has been carrying out strikes on its energy infrastructure almost daily, causing power outages as temperatures fall ahead of winter.
“That’s why we have to respond. But our response has to be painful for Russian military people,” Zelenskyy said. “If we will not respond on energy, they will continue.”
Relations between Washington and Kyiv suffered another setback in October after Trump reached an agreement to bring millions of tons of Russian diesel into the United States.
Zelenskyy cautioned President Donald Trump against assisting Russia while praising first lady Melania Trump for helping arrange a humanitarian evacuation from territory under Russian control. (Fox News)
Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine could be persuaded to pause additional strikes on Russian oil facilities if the United States provided more American-made Patriot interceptor missiles to defend Ukrainian airspace. Asked by Fox News whether that amounted to an effort to pressure Trump, Zelenskyy replied: “I don’t have any concerns when I share the truth between partners.”
“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.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News that Kyiv intends to keep targeting Russian oil refineries despite opposition from the Trump administration. (Pier Marco Tacca; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
With peace talks scheduled in the United Arab Emirates, Zelenskyy pressed Trump to pursue a new, limited ceasefire under which Russia and Ukraine would both stop attacking energy infrastructure.
“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.”
Zelenskyy spoke with Fox News just hours before starving and exhausted residents fled the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky and entered Ukraine under a humanitarian truce arranged by first lady Melania Trump. It was the first agreement of its kind in more than four years of war.
Zelenskyy praised the first lady’s initiative, describing the evacuations as “a huge result.” He added: “I don’t know how many such steps will be available for us, but if the First Lady can do it … it’s very helpful. I’m very thankful to her.”