— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is rejecting calls from the Trump administration for Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, telling Fox News that Kyiv’s response to attacks on its energy system “must be painful.”
In an interview in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has held multiple discussions with the Trump administration about attacks on Russian oil facilities—strikes President Donald Trump has partly blamed for rising 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.”
In a Fox News interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged President Donald Trump to pursue an energy ceasefire with Russia as Washington pressures Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries. (Fox News)
Ukraine has reported nearly daily Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, 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 a deal to import 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 secure a humanitarian evacuation from Russian-controlled territory. (Fox News)
KEEP READING: Trump Asks Supreme Court to Void 20,000 California Noncitizen Ballots
Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine could be more willing to pause attacks on Russian oil facilities if the United States provided additional U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors to defend Ukrainian airspace. Asked by Fox News whether that amounted to leveraging 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 Ukraine would continue striking Russian oil refineries despite objections from the Trump administration. (Pier Marco Tacca; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
With peace talks planned in the United Arab Emirates, Zelenskyy called on Trump to make another effort toward a limited ceasefire banning Russian and Ukrainian attacks on energy facilities.
“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 to Fox News hours before starving and exhausted residents fled the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky and crossed into Ukraine under a humanitarian truce brokered by first lady Melania Trump. It was the first evacuation 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.”
