Kyiv says it will no longer heed Trump's demands to spare Russian refineries

Kyiv said it would no longer abide by US President Donald Trump's demands not to strike Russian oil refineries. France 24 and The Japan Times both reported the announcement. France 24 credits its report to AFP; The Japan Times summary reviewed by Vocemundi does not name a wire source.

According to France 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels on Thursday. He also held bilateral meetings with European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron. He was set to join an EU summit on Friday.

France 24 reported that Zelensky told the Financial Times that Ukraine would no longer hold off targeting Russian refineries. His reason was that Moscow was not abiding by a ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes announced by Trump.

Tensions with Washington

According to France 24, Trump eased sanctions on Russia last week. In exchange, Moscow released large amounts of diesel onto global markets. France 24 says relations between Kyiv and Washington have soured since then.

France 24 also reported that defence officials confirmed a US threat to withdraw intelligence-sharing if Ukraine continued long-range strikes on Russian refineries. The report does not say which country's officials.

Ukraine's military has faced restrictions or outages affecting SpaceX's Starshield satellite system, according to France 24. Ukraine relies on Starshield to detect incoming Russian attacks and coordinate its frontline response. Officials said speeds were slower on Wednesday. Starshield is separate from the civilian Starlink system. Ukraine also uses Starlink, but not for offensive operations.

Russian authorities reported a drone attack on an oil refinery south of Moscow that caused a fire, according to France 24. The reports do not name the refinery or say whether Ukraine claimed the attack.

What is disputed

Zelensky says Russia has disregarded Trump's proposed energy ceasefire. He cited a drone strike on energy infrastructure in Lutsk that he says caused blackouts. The reports do not include independent verification of that strike. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Kyiv "continues to launch strikes against these facilities". He said: "It is coming into serious conflict with the peace efforts of the United States and American negotiators, who are making vigorous efforts to initiate the peace process."

Elon Musk says SpaceX is not behind any Starshield disruption. France 24 quoted him as saying: "Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS." The reports do not include a US government response.

What each side says

Zelensky wrote online: "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 defence support for Ukraine." He also referred to "problems with Starlink operations". France 24 reports that much of the outrage in Ukraine this week centred on restrictions to Starshield, while a linked France 24 headline says Starlink has been restored.

According to France 24, Macron said it was crucial that Ukraine receive "all the means necessary to protect itself". Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted online: "I can reassure you, dear Ukrainian friends and President Zelensky: YOU ARE NOT ALONE."

The reports do not include any response from Trump, the White House, the Pentagon or the State Department.

Analysis

The announcement adds a new point of friction between Kyiv and Washington. It comes on top of reported differences over sanctions relief, intelligence-sharing and satellite access. Several outcomes remain possible. Washington could respond with pressure, negotiation or no public reaction. European leaders could expand support, as Macron and Tusk signalled, or seek to mediate. Russia and Ukraine each blame the other for undermining the energy ceasefire. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not allow those claims to be independently assessed. Most of the detail comes from France 24's AFP-credited report; The Japan Times offers only a brief summary. Key questions remain open, including who controls Starshield limits and what the EU summit decides.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.