Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country “received no early warning from our partners” on one of the latest Russian strikes against Kyiv.
“Intelligence on Russian ballistic missile launches helps save lives, and this is one of the most critical issues,” Zelensky said on Tuesday. “This is precisely what helps prevent people from being killed – when there is an early warning about ballistic missiles.”
He did not directly blame any nation for the lack of intelligence, but his statement came after the United States reportedly threatened to stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine if the country continued attacking Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities.
Ukraine has stopped its airstrikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure since President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire on Sunday, Zelensky said. Russia, however, has not done the same.
“During this time, the Russians have attacked both our energy facilities and our critical infrastructure, sending absolutely clear signals that they have no intention of refraining from strikes on Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “Nineteen regions of our country have come under attack in these two days alone.”
Despite its threat to cut off intelligence with Ukraine, the U.S. has not seemed to follow through on the move yet. On Tuesday, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed Kyiv continues to receive intelligence data.
One of the most recent Russian ballistic missile strikes, which Zelensky described as “particularly vile,” hit civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. There was also an aerial attack on Kharkiv, where four people were killed, and 41 others were wounded in a destroyed residential building amid an all-night rescue operation.
Russia has been attacking power plants to cut Ukrainians’ power, heat, and running water during the war as winter approaches. Ukraine had been trading strikes in return until Trump announced a supposed energy ceasefire.
The president claimed both sides had agreed to the deal because he said so.
“Well, they agreed,” he told reporters outside the White House on Monday. “You know why? Because I said, ‘You agree.’ That’s why. They agreed because I said they agree, and that thing has to get settled. That war is a disaster.”
Trump also said he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin “wants to make a deal more than Zelensky.” The Ukrainian leader doubts that’s the case based on his Russian counterpart’s aggressive actions.
Tensions between Trump and Zelensky were renewed after Trump criticized Ukraine for targeting Russian energy infrastructure and called for new leadership in Kyiv. In response to the latter part, Zelensky said elections will resume in Ukraine if Putin agrees to a two-month ceasefire. The Kremlin rejected that offer, saying Moscow wants a lasting peace deal instead of a temporary pause in fighting.
TRUMP INSISTS RUSSIA-UKRAINE ENERGY CEASEFIRE IS REAL ‘BECAUSE I SAID THEY AGREE’
While butting heads with Zelensky, Trump has been speaking with Putin more recently. Their conversations led to a deal that allows Russia to supply the U.S. and global markets with an initial 300,000 metric tons of imported diesel ahead of the midterm elections next month, followed by additional shipments. In total, Russia has agreed to supply over 4.8 million metric tons depending on certain conditions.
Trump said the goal was to bring down surging oil prices. After he announced the deal on Friday, many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle slammed the move because it provides a financial lifeline to Moscow during its war with Kyiv.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
