Zelensky Seeks European Backing After Rift with US Over Refinery Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and several European leaders in Brussels on Thursday, October 15, seeking to shore up European support. The meetings followed his statement that Ukraine would no longer comply with US President Donald Trump's demand to refrain from hitting Russian oil refineries. Zelensky was due to join a European Union summit on Friday.

Strained ties with Washington

Relations between Kyiv and Washington have worsened since last week, when Trump eased sanctions on Russia in return for Moscow releasing large volumes of diesel onto global markets. Frustration in Ukraine has grown further because of disruptions to a US-provided satellite system, which have made it harder for the military to counter Russian bombardments.

Zelensky told the Financial Times that Ukraine would no longer spare Russian refineries, since Moscow was not observing the ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes announced by Trump. He said Russia had carried out another drone attack on Ukrainian energy facilities in Lutsk, causing blackouts.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of undermining US peace efforts. Russian authorities reported a drone attack on an oil refinery south of Moscow that sparked a fire.

European support and the satellite dispute

French President Emmanuel Macron said after meeting Zelensky that Ukraine must receive everything necessary to defend itself. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote online that Ukraine is not alone.

Ukraine's military uses SpaceX's Starshield system to detect incoming attacks, coordinate frontline operations and run interceptor drones. Defence officials confirmed the US had threatened to withdraw intelligence-sharing if Ukraine continued long-range strikes on Russian refineries. Elon Musk said the system is owned and controlled by the US government, not his company. On Wednesday, speeds were slower, affecting connectivity, officials said.