KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is defying calls from the Trump administration for his armed forces to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, telling Fox News: "Our response must be painful."
In an interview in Kyiv, Zelenskyy acknowledged holding discussions with the Trump administration about targeting oil facilities, attacks President Donald Trump has pinned as being partly to blame for high gas prices in the U.S.
"We had different conversations — different, and several — with President Trump and with his team about attacks on refineries," Zelenskyy said.
"We said that if you want us not to attack Russia's refineries, they have not to attack our energy system."
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Ukraine has reported near-daily Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, triggering power outages just as temperatures dip ahead of winter.
"That's why we have to respond. But our response has to be painful for Russian military people," Zelenskyy said. "If we will not respond on energy, they will continue."
U.S.-Ukraine relations took a further hit in October when Trump struck a deal to import millions of tons of Russian diesel to the United States.
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Zelenskyy suggested Ukraine might be encouraged to hold off on further attacks on Russian oil facilities if the United States were to deliver more U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors to protect Ukrainian skies. Pressed by Fox News on whether that might be seen as an attempt to leverage Trump, Zelenskyy said: "I don't have any concerns when I share the truth between partners."
"Our countries are huge partners. American society (is a) huge supporter."
"And that's why I have to share with (the) president the truth, the real situation: that America can't help Russia. (The) president can't help Putin."
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Ahead of planned peace talks in the United Arab Emirates, Zelenskyy urged Trump to launch another push for a targeted ceasefire where both Russia and Ukraine refrain from attacks on energy facilities.
"If the American president thinks that this war has influence on the prices," Zelenskyy said, "he can ask, energy ceasefire, during (the) Abu Dhabi trilateral meeting: energy ceasefire."
Zelenskyy spoke with Fox News hours before starved and exhausted residents left the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky and crossed into Ukraine under a humanitarian truce brokered by first lady Melania Trump, the first of its kind in more than four years of war.
Zelenskyy welcomed the first lady's initiative, calling the evacuations "a huge result," and adding: "I don't know how many such steps will be available for us, but if the First Lady can do it ... it's very helpful. I'm very thankful to her."
