Ukraine will strike Russian refineries: Zelenskyy

CASSANDRA VINOGRAD AND FRANCESCA REGALADO

UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s anger at the Trump administration burst into view Thursday when he said he would no longer abide by President Donald Trump’s demand to stop striking Russian oil refineries. It was a remarkably vocal expression by the Ukrainian leader of frustration with the United States, as Ukraine grapples with what it sees as a betrayal by Washington.

Zelenskyy’s remarks, in an interview with The Financial Times published Thursday, brought to a head days of mounting tensions with the Trump administration. It drew expressions of support from European allies in Brussels, but could be a risky move for a country that has depended heavily on U.S. support.

In the interview, Zelenskyy appeared baffled by Trump’s decisions, criticizing Trump for making deals with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and for openly admiring dictators who have clung to power. Putin, the Ukrainian leader said, is “real evil.”

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