Zelenskyy complains about attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities

News in Five Zelenskyy complains about attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities C. Peters • 5 hours • 4 minutes read Kiev (dpa) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again accused Russia of violating the ceasefire for attacks on energy facilities. He has instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov to report the violations to the US government, Zelenskyy said in his evening video message. US mediators had agreed with Russia and Ukraine in separate talks that no more bombing of energy infrastructure would be carried out. According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order on March 18 – after a telephone call with his US counterpart, Donald Trump. However, a Kremlin spokesperson complained that the Ukrainian side was not adhering to the agreement and was continuing to attack energy facilities in Russia. Zelensky, in turn, denounced a targeted Russian drone attack on the gas infrastructure in the Poltava region and also artillery shelling in Kherson, which damaged the power supply. A Russian attack on the city of Kharkiv also damaged the heating infrastructure there. "All this shows that Russia continues to disrupt diplomacy and will continue to do so, and that Moscow's only tactic is to prolong the war," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian president also recalled that Kyiv had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire on land, sea, and air. "On March 11, Ukraine accepted the American proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, and since then, Russia has been responsible for slowing down diplomacy," he said. Zelensky urges speed in arms buildup Zelensky called on Ukraine's defense industries to ramp up production of new and powerful drones and missiles. "Our task is to significantly increase deliveries to the army and maximize the technological advantages of our Ukrainian drones," he said. The soldiers need sufficient supplies. Ukraine is also working on establishing its own production of anti-aircraft missile systems and all necessary air defense systems. Discussions on this have taken place at meetings in Europe in recent days. The focus is on common and long-term security for all of Europe. Zelensky also provided information on the appointments to military leadership positions. These personnel decisions are primarily aimed at strengthening the air force, which is now increasingly deploying Western fighter jets. Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression with Western aid for more than three years. Zelensky refuses to recognize old US aid as a loan There is still no agreement on a raw materials agreement between Ukraine and the US that has been discussed for weeks. A new draft from Washington also harbors potential for conflict. Zelenskyy continues to refuse to recognize previous US military aid in the fight against the Russian war of aggression as a loan. "We are grateful for the support – but this is not a loan, and we will not allow it," he told journalists in Kyiv. The president confirmed receipt of a new draft raw materials agreement from Washington. It differs "completely from the previous framework agreement," he said. It now contains points that had already been rejected in previous negotiations. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine would not sign anything that would disrupt its EU accession process. Media reports had previously referred to a 58-page document. This document is reportedly written entirely in favor of the US and would give Washington control over future investments in Ukrainian infrastructure and the extraction of raw materials. The signing of the framework agreement fell through at the end of February after a public dispute in the White House between Zelenskyy and US President Trump. The US was one of Ukraine's main supporters under Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump's line differs dramatically from his previous approach. Shortly after taking office in January, he tied aid to Russia-attacked Ukraine to access to its rare earth reserves. The exploitation of these raw materials is considered strategically important and economically lucrative. A large portion of the resources is also located in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Kyiv mocks Putin: Russia better under UN administration Kremlin leader Putin's proposal for a temporary UN administration for the country he has waged war on was met with ridicule in Ukraine. "Counterproposal: a temporary UN administration in Russia, starting in Vorkuta," said Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tychyy in a statement on X.