Kiev [Ukraine], October 17: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is resuming strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying US President Donald Trump's demand for a halt to such attacks.
"We're done," Zelensky said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Thursday.
Zelensky said Ukraine had reluctantly complied with Trump's demand for three days, even as Russia continued to strike Ukrainian energy facilities.
Trump had abruptly and unilaterally declared an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, although neither side had confirmed agreeing to such a pause.
Zelensky also expressed anger over what he described as a "dangerous" lack of US intelligence sharing and simultaneous restrictions on the Starlink satellite internet service as Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described Zelensky's remarks as a direct and serious affront to Trump, while the Kremlin accused Kiev of undermining US peace efforts.
Russia reported fresh Ukrainian attacks on oil processing facilities in the Ryazan and Saratov regions late Wednesday. A fire broke out following a strike on the Ryazan refinery.
Backing from Brussels EU leaders defended Ukraine's approach as they gathered in Brussels for a summit on Thursday.
"The majority of Russia's funding for the war comes from oil revenues," said top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas. "Ukraine wants this war to stop, and that's why cutting off the funding for the war is the way to do it." "The faster all the Russian refineries and ability to sell energy will be blown to smithereens the better," Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told journalists.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainians, and they have to do whatever is necessary to protect the Ukrainian people," added Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Zelensky is expected to join the EU leaders on Friday, for a discussion on Ukraine's defence needs.
Russia has continued its large-scale attacks on Ukraine in recent days, with drone strikes continuing on Thursday.
In Kiev and the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa, at least nine people were injured in drone attacks, according to authorities, including one hit on a supermarket.
Earlier, at least three people had been killed and six injured in Russian drone attacks on the central Ukrainian region of Kirovohrad, according to the Ukrainian civil protection service.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, three more people had been killed, the authorities said. Zelensky spoke of a "targeted escalation" by Russia after Trump had eased sanctions on Russian diesel exports amid rising petrol prices in the US.
The Ukrainian Navy meanwhile said it had damaged six Russian Sukhoi Su-34M fighter jets at an airfield in western Russia.
"Neptune" cruise missiles had been used in the attack, the navy said on social media. The target was the Borisoglebsk military airfield in the Voronezh region, more than 340 kilometres from Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Overnight, unverified photos of fires purporting to show the attack circulated on social media. Russian military bloggers also confirmed the attack and the damage.
Trump, whose approval ratings have fallen to new lows ahead of next month's crucial midterm elections, has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for rising diesel prices and accused Zelensky of refusing to reach a deal to end the war.
Zelensky has repeatedly criticized a diesel agreement between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, under which the United States plans to import Russian fuel in an effort to bring down record-high prices while easing sanctions on Moscow.
Source: Qatar Tribune
