Russia's invasion International response

Zelenskyy defies Trump – resumes attacks on oil industry

Ukraine is resuming its attacks on the Russian oil industry, Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells the *Financial Times*.

"It’s over; the pause is over," he says.

The White House reportedly pressured Kyiv to pause attacks on targets including Russian oil refineries. Ukraine agreed to a three-day pause, but Russia continued its attacks with undiminished intensity.

Despite this, the US has continued to pressure Kyiv by threatening to withhold intelligence reports. Furthermore, Ukraine's internet access via Elon Musk's Starlink has been restricted. However, Ukrainian sources stated on Thursday that the systems are now functioning normally again. 

Elon Musk: The slaughter continues – Zelenskyy must resign
 

Elon Musk believes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should resign because he refuses to agree to peace on the Kremlin's terms. The tech billionaire wrote this on X.

"The slaughter continues. It is time for Zelenskyy to resign," the post reads.

Musk is reacting to Zelenskyy's interview with TV personality Piers Morgan, in which the president asserted that he has no intention of selling out his country.

The interview with Morgan comes as the White House once again pressures Kyiv to accept peace on Russia's terms. At the same time, Elon Musk's Starlink satellites have been restricted for the Ukrainian military—something Musk claims he has nothing to do with.

Elon Musk: I am not the one who restricted Starlink in Ukraine

Tech billionaire Elon Musk says that neither he nor his company, SpaceX, has restricted Ukraine’s access to the satellite internet service Starlink.

"The Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any restrictions on speed or usage are decided by the US military and, ultimately, the President," he writes in a post on X.

Starshield is the military counterpart to Starlink and is controlled by the Pentagon. At a time when US President Donald Trump has once again begun exerting pressure on Ukraine—rather than on the aggressor, Russia—Ukraine has reported that its internet access via the system has been restricted. The system is crucial for the defense against Russia.

Ukrainian presidential advisor Serhiy Beskrestnov links the pressure from Trump to the service disruptions.

"It is obvious that this cannot be a coincidence, but rather is connected to the current political situation," he says, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Russian invasion  Ukraine’s response
Sources: EU leaders want Zelenskyy to tone down criticism

Leaders of several EU countries feel that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been overly harsh in his remarks about Donald Trump in recent days. This is according to several people familiar with the matter speaking to the *Financial Times*.

In various interviews, Zelenskyy has, among other things, leveled sharp criticism at the new US diesel deal with Russia and stated that Trump "loves and respects" leaders like Vladimir Putin.

"That may be true, but it doesn't always have to be said openly," one of the sources told the *Financial Times*.

EU leaders are set to meet Zelenskyy on Friday and, according to the sources, will urge him to soften his tone.