President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the United States has withheld $16 billion (£12 billion) in aid promised to Ukraine, as Kyiv continues its campaign of strikes on Russian oil infrastructure despite pressure from US President Donald Trump.
Zelensky revealed the withheld funds as he defied Trump's demands to halt Ukraine's attacks on Russia's oil industry. He said Washington has so far not paid the $16 billion agreed under previous deals.
Zelensky urges new US political approach
Zelensky said Ukraine needs to move toward a new political infrastructure in the US and must do so quickly. He called for consolidating bipartisan support and structuring dialogue correctly given the shift in the balance of power.
"We must raise the issue that, out of previous agreements and decisions, $16 billion was withheld and not provided to Ukraine," Zelensky said. "We are grateful for everything that has been given, but Ukraine should, at the very least, fight to secure these funds."
Strikes on Russian oil refineries continue
Ukraine has continued attacking Russian oil energy targets despite fears it will deepen the rift with Trump, who has blamed Ukraine for diesel price hikes across the US.
Ukrainian strikes have knocked 15 of Russia's 38 major oil refineries out of operation, while another 12 have reduced production, according to Ukraine's military intelligence. The campaign has caused around £18 billion worth of damage, compared with Russia's total oil industry takings of £22.5 billion in 2025. Russia is now believed to be importing oil from abroad using sanctions-busting smuggling routes.
Patriot missiles offer and drone attacks
Zelensky has offered to halt attacks on the Russian oil industry in exchange for one month's worth of Patriot missiles to defend against Moscow's ballistic weapons.
"Give us this package. We need the package, and you can give us for one month, not for three months. For one month, if you need us not to attack their refineries one month, give me Patriots for one month," he said.
Earlier this morning Ukraine is believed to have targeted the Afipsky Oil Refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai with drones. Russia said it downed 142 Ukrainian UAVs overnight during the attack, which launched at 1am local time and left Krasnodar draped in smoke as blazes broke out.
Trump's claim that Ukraine is behind diesel price hikes has been contradicted by figures showing less than two percent of diesel exports come from Russia globally, with the price increases widely blamed on Trump's actions toward Iran. Zelensky said: "Ukraine must fight - let nobody in the US take offence."
