From BBC News · · 2m
Zelensky defends Ukraine strikes as Trump feud deepens
Ukraine's president rejects US criticism over oil refinery attacks and a diesel deal with Russia, as tensions with Washington escalate over military strategy.
In brief
Ukraine's president rejects US criticism over oil refinery attacks and a diesel deal with Russia, as tensions with Washington escalate over military strategy. President Zelensky said Ukraine has the right to defend itself after Donald Trump criticised strikes on Russian oil refineries and a controversial US diesel…
Trump attacks Zelensky over strikes
Donald Trump said Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries were a disgrace and called Zelensky more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin.
“more difficult to deal with than [Russian President Vladimir] Putin”
The diesel deal divides them
Trump recently made a controversial deal with Moscow to import diesel. Zelensky rejected it, saying it might be followed by a gas agreement that prolongs the war.
“If I don't stand up to this... who else will do this?”
Zelensky defends Ukraine's position
At an EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky said he was only standing up for Ukraine's interests and could not accept deals that might prolong the conflict.
Trump's ceasefire proposal failed
Trump announced a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire on energy infrastructure last week. Kyiv agreed to stop strikes if Russia did, but Moscow continued attacks after three days.
Zelensky resumed the strikes
After Russia ignored the ceasefire and continued its attacks, Zelensky said Kyiv would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries within three days.
“Of course we supported President Trump's energy ceasefire but we've seen that Russia did not respect it, not a single minute”
Starlink restrictions added tension
Earlier this week, restrictions were placed on the US-owned Starlink network critical to Ukraine's military. On Tuesday night, deadly Russian strikes followed with no prior warning.
EU leaders back Ukraine
At the Brussels summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said sanctions on Russia had to increase and Europe stood by Ukraine through another winter.
“Russia is trying everything to destroy the energy and water infrastructure, but we stand by your side, we support you as we did in the other winters”
Ukraine prepares for winter conflict
Zelensky said Ukraine wanted the war to end quickly but Russia showed no signs of wanting the same. Winter preparations require energy, defence and funding support.
“That's why we have to prepare for the winter. A winter package is not only energy, it's also defence and funding”
Overnight attacks continue
Russian drone strikes killed several people in Kharkiv. Ukraine's military intercepted six hundred forty-four drones across twenty-six Russian regions overnight.
The big picture
President Zelensky said Ukraine has the right to defend itself after Donald Trump criticised strikes on Russian oil refineries and a controversial US diesel deal with Moscow.
