Zelenskyy defies Trump, declaring Ukraine will resume critical strikes on Russian oil refineries amid escalating energy infrastructure tensions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will resume strikes against Russian oil refineries, marking a significant escalation in tensions with President Donald Trump over an attempted pause in attacks on energy infrastructure.
The decision came on October 15, 2026, after Kyiv had temporarily halted operations against Russian energy facilities following Trump's announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine had little reason to continue observing the arrangement when Russian forces were still carrying out attacks against Ukrainian energy facilities and civilian areas.
“The block is out. We’re done,” Zelenskyy told the Financial Times, delivering a blunt message that Kyiv would no longer maintain its restraint under the circumstances.