The key facts

  • Zelensky: 'The block on strikes on energy is lifted. We are done' — after attacks on oil refineries in Ryazan and Saratov
  • Trump called the strikes a 'disgrace' and considers Zelensky less willing to compromise than Putin
  • Kyiv complains about the suspension of US intelligence and Starlink restrictions; Zelensky is ready to resume the pause in exchange for Patriot systems

Kyiv lifts moratorium on strikes on energy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, October 15, in an interview with the Financial Times that strikes on Russian energy infrastructure are resuming, despite calls from US President Donald Trump to stop them. 'The block [on strikes on energy infrastructure] is lifted. We are done,' Zelensky said. The statement followed reports from Russia about Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries in Ryazan, where a fire broke out, and Saratov. Kyiv had previously refrained from such strikes to give Trump's 'energy truce' a chance.

Reaction from Moscow and Washington

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday praised the 'energetic [American] efforts to launch a peace process' and said that by resuming the strikes Ukraine 'is entering into a serious conflict with the peace efforts of the United States and American negotiators.' Meanwhile, according to DW, Russia continued striking Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure: on Wednesday, about 600,000 Ukrainians were left without electricity due to Russian strikes. In an interview with Newsmax, Trump called Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries a 'disgrace' and said Zelensky is less willing than Putin to compromise to end the war: 'I think both would like to end it. But Zelensky, in my opinion, is harder to bring to an agreement than Putin.'

Intelligence and Starlink

Kyiv agreed with Trump's public proposal, although it was not notified of the 'truce' in advance. This week, Zelensky criticized the 'dangerous' absence of intelligence information from the US and the restriction of Ukrainian military access to Starlink satellite communications. According to him, the Ukrainian military was warned that intelligence would not be provided unless the 'truce' was observed. Despite Kyiv's restraint, this week Ukrainian cities came under attack by Russian drones and missiles without prior warning from the US. 'We will find a way out,' Zelensky said, noting that Western allies are trying to compensate for the gap in intelligence and defense support. About the Starlink situation, he told FT: 'It was not a technical problem, it was a will.' SpaceX owner Elon Musk stated that the military version of Starlink — Starshield, used by Ukraine — is owned and operated by the US, and that he and his company have nothing to do with the problem.

Context: sanctions and purchases of Russian oil

The interview came after Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil and his promise to buy 'millions of barrels' of Russian diesel fuel against the backdrop of high fuel prices caused, in DW's wording, by the US war with Iran. According to the outlet, the deal, coming a few weeks before the US midterm elections, is unlikely to lower oil prices but gives Putin the opportunity to continue the invasion. Over the weekend, Trump called for replacing Zelensky. His actions caused irritation among NATO allies: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the agreement to purchase Russian diesel 'a very risky decision,' pointing out that the rise in oil prices was provoked by Trump's war in Iran, and that deals with Putin would only lead to a continuation of the invasion. Zelensky said he is ready to suspend strikes on energy infrastructure again, but only if the US supplies Patriot systems capable of shooting down Russian ballistic missiles and drones.