Ukraine Resumes Russian Refinery Strikes as Zelenskyy Rejects Trump's Diesel Deal

US President Donald Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel came alongside a proposed pause in attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukraine suspended its refinery strikes for three days in response to Trump's call last week, according to Bloomberg.

The arrangement quickly became a source of friction. A commentary published by World News CNA on October 14 argued that easing sanctions left Ukraine more vulnerable while Moscow failed to heed the declared energy ceasefire.

By October 14, the disagreement had become public. DIE WELT reported that Ukraine's president felt betrayed by the diesel deal and was seeking more air defence support in London.

A separate dispute concerned satellite connectivity. On October 14, NBC News reported Ukrainian complaints that internet services supplied through Elon Musk's SpaceX were being throttled, putting defence capabilities at risk. Musk said the services were controlled by the US government, not him.

On October 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered refinery attacks to resume, ending the three-day pause, Bloomberg reported. CNBC International reported that Ukraine was returning to attacks on Russian energy targets because Moscow had not upheld its side of the proposed arrangement.

The decision was followed by a reported strike. Reuters reported on October 15 that Ukraine had resumed attacks, citing the regional governor's account of a strike at an installation in Russia's Ryazan region.

Russia offered a different account of responsibility for the breakdown. Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov said Ukraine's continuing refinery attacks contradicted US peace efforts, according to Anadolu Ajansı.

Ukraine's pause in refinery attacks is over, while the diesel agreement is moving forward. On October 15, The Hindu reported the Kremlin's announcement that Russia had restarted diesel exports. Sources told the New York Post that Russian diesel was expected to reach the American market before the November 3 midterm election.

European officials are also responding to the dispute. Kaja Kallas, the EU's Foreign Policy chief, described Trump's diesel agreement as a gift to Putin in an interview with Euronews. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that EU leaders would urge Zelenskyy to rein in his criticism of Trump because his comments had alarmed European capitals.

The next concrete test for the diesel agreement is whether Russian supplies reach the United States before November 3, as sources told the New York Post they expected. The coverage establishes that exports have restarted, but does not confirm American deliveries.

European diplomacy is another immediate development. Le Monde reported on October 15 that Zelensky was in Brussels to meet NATO and EU leaders and seek stronger pressure on Russia. Those meetings come as the Financial Times reports European efforts to soften his public confrontation with Trump.