Zelensky Defends Strikes on Russian Refineries, Rejects US Pressure

Ukrainian President Zelensky initially rejected a moratorium on strikes against Russian energy infrastructure at the UN General Assembly, but subsequently proposed a mutual halt to energy attacks in a meeting with Donald Trump. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has consistently rejected any pause in military operations or an energy-strike moratorium, citing a desire to prevent Ukraine from rearming. This indicates a complex and contradictory diplomatic posture from Ukraine, met with firm rejection from Russia, raising the risk of continued and intensified energy infrastructure targeting.