Ukraine's Zelenskyy on defying US in attacking Russian oil: '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. Ukraine has reported near-daily Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, triggering power outages just as temperatures dip ahead of winter.

"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." That's why we have to respond. But our response has to be painful for Russian military people," Zelenskyy added. "If we will not respond on energy, they will continue."

U.S.-Ukraine Tensions

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. 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.

Abu Dhabi Talks

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."