Ukraine defies Trump to resume attacks on Russian oil refineries

Russian state media reported that Ukrainian long-range drones set fire to the Kstovo refinery in Nizhny Novgorod oblast overnight, following a major strike against another large refinery in Samara oblast owned by Russian state energy giant Rosneft. The Wall Street Journal had previously suggested Ukraine had succumbed to White House pressure to halt such attacks, but Ukrainian officials denied this claim.

Defiance Amid Pressure

Ukrainian officials told the Kyiv Independent they never agreed to a demand from Jared Kushner to pause refinery strikes for 30 days. Kremlin officials complained that Kyiv was now "simply ignoring" US wishes. Trump has previously blamed Zelenskyy for rising global fuel prices and lifted US sanctions on Russian diesel last month.

Humanitarian Truce Ends

The latest attacks coincided with the conclusion of a six-day local ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky. Hundreds of residents were reunited with loved ones during the truce, which both sides hailed as successful. Ukrainian observers, however, claim Russia used the ceasefire to reinforce its positions and swap exhausted troops.

The town sits on the left bank of the Dnipro River, opposite the larger city of Kherson, which Ukraine recaptured in autumn 2022. A renewed Russian onslaught is considered inevitable by observers.

Diplomatic Efforts Continue

Pope Francis expressed hope on Sunday that cooperation between Russia and Ukraine in implementing the Oleshky ceasefire would pave the way for broader peace efforts. Trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the US are likely to occur later this month, with Kremlin officials stating Putin was willing to speak directly with Zelenskyy by phone.

However, prospects for a breakthrough remain slim as Putin's maximalist demands remain unchanged, including Ukraine giving up all of eastern Donetsk oblast and further territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces.