Amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday that Kyiv would no longer abide by US President Donald Trump’s demands seeking a halt to
strikes on Moscow’s oil refineries.
Relations between Russia and Ukraine hit a new low last week, after Trump eased sanctions on Russia
in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global energy markets.Zelenskyy, who described the deal as a “weak decision“, argued that it would push Russia to escalate its four-and-a-half-year war with Ukraine. Several of Kyiv’s European allies also criticised the agreement.
Addressing the criticism surrounding the deal, Trump targeted his Ukrainian counterpart, claiming Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries were to blame for rising diesel prices. He said it was time for Ukraine “to get a new President”.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region early Thursday, October 15, with Zelenskyy declaring an end to a brief truce aiming to stop attacks on energy infrastructure.
“The block (on attacking refineries) is out,” Zelenskyy told the Financial Times in an interview. “We’re done.”
On Sunday, Trump had announced a surprise “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. Zelenskyy had rejected the deal, stating he knew nothing about it.
Zelenskyy Lands In Brussels
Amid deepening tensions with Russia, Zelenskyy landed in Brussels on Thursday to hold talks with European partners. Writing on X, he said he would hold crucial meetings with the NATO Secretary General, the President of France, and the prime ministers of Poland, Denmark, and Belgium.
Already in Brussels with my team to attend the European Council meeting and hold talks with our partners.
Important meetings are scheduled for today with the NATO Secretary General, the President of France, and the prime ministers of Poland, Denmark, and Belgium. I will also have an audience with King Philippe of the Belgians. Tomorrow, meetings are planned with the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as the prime ministers of Hungary, Finland, and Sweden.
All of us in Europe want this war to end. And for that to happen, strong signals are needed – more real pressure on Russia and more defense support for Ukraine. It is especially important now to act together to protect lives.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 15, 2026
“All of us in Europe want this war to end. And for that to happen, strong signals are needed – more real pressure on Russia and more defense support for Ukraine. It is especially important now to act together to protect lives”, he said.
In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said that he had felt “betrayed” by Trump’s diesel-supply agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, systematically striking the country’s energy infrastructure, which led to energy shortages across the globe.
Kyiv, meanwhile, has retaliated by attacking Russian oil refineries.
