Zelensky Defends Ukraine’s Right to Strike Russia After Trump Calls Attacks a ‘Disgrace’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended his country’s right to attack Russian targets after US President Donald Trump condemned Kyiv’s renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries, deepening tensions between the two leaders over how to end the war.

Speaking to Euronews on Friday, October 16, on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Brussels, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had the right to defend itself because Russia had invaded its territory, occupied parts of the country and killed Ukrainian citizens.

“We were attacked, occupied, and our people were killed. It is only logical that we have the right to defend ourselves,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine would continue to stand firm in protecting its national interests. He also said dealing with Trump was easier than dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had described Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries as a “disgrace”, arguing that they contributed to higher global energy prices. In an interview with Newsmax, he criticised Zelenskyy’s approach to negotiations and said he found the Ukrainian leader more difficult to deal with than Putin.

The disagreement follows the collapse of an energy ceasefire initiative announced by Trump. Ukraine had temporarily halted attacks on Russian oil infrastructure but resumed them after Russian forces continued striking Ukrainian energy facilities, including power stations. Kyiv said it could not maintain restraint while its own infrastructure remained under attack. Moscow and Kyiv had not both publicly confirmed accepting the ceasefire terms announced by Trump.

The dispute comes as Russian missile and drone attacks have hit multiple Ukrainian regions, disrupting electricity supplies and leaving hundreds of thousands of households without power. The Associated Press reported that at least 15 people were injured in the latest wave of strikes across nine regions, as concerns grow over the impact of attacks on civilian infrastructure ahead of winter.

European leaders have continued to express support for Ukraine as uncertainty grows over the future of US military and intelligence assistance. Zelenskyy’s remarks underline Kyiv’s position that any effort to end the war must account for Russia’s continued attacks and Ukraine’s right to defend its territory.

The exchange highlights the challenge facing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. With both sides continuing to target energy infrastructure, the breakdown of the proposed pause has raised further questions about whether a broader ceasefire can be achieved.