Zelensky calls for reinstating oil sanctions on Russia

With a ceasefire now taking hold between the United States and Iran, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pressing for Washington to restore full energy sanctions on Russia, arguing that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz removes the rationale for easing pressure on Moscow’s oil exports.

“Now a ceasefire is beginning in the Middle East and the Gulf. And I am waiting for sanctions on Russian oil to be fully reimposed, as they were before,” Mr Zelensky said.

Last month, the United States relaxed some sanctions on Russian oil in an effort to contain rising energy prices triggered by the Middle East war. Ukraine and its allies warned at the time that the step risked bolstering the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine.

Under the US waiver, countries were permitted to buy Russian oil already in transit until 11 April.

Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, higher oil prices have given Russia a financial lift, helping refill state revenues strained by more than four years of war in Ukraine and the weight of international sanctions.

Mr Zelensky also said some of Ukraine’s partners had urged Kyiv to suspend long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities while prices were climbing because of the Iran war.

“I won’t say who asked us to do this. But partners did ask – it’s a fact. They asked at different levels, from political to military leadership,” he said.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has stepped up retaliatory attacks on Russian infrastructure, hitting refineries, oil depots and ports, including repeated strikes on the key Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk.

Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, both sides have repeatedly targeted each other’s energy infrastructure in a war that has become Europe’s bloodiest since World War II.

Ukraine has developed expertise in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia

Mr Zelensky also said Ukrainian military specialists had shot down Iranian drones in several countries across the Middle East.

Kyiv sent dozens of anti-drone personnel to at least four Middle Eastern countries after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a wave of retaliatory drone attacks.

“This was not about a training mission or exercises, but about support in building a modern air defence system that can actually work. Yes, they were shooting down Shaheds,” he said, referring to the Iranian drones.

Earlier this week, Mr Zelensky said those Ukrainian drone units would stay in the region even after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

Ukraine and Russia to cease fire for Orthodox Easter

Ukrainian soldiers place wax on Easter eggsn Lviv

Ukraine and Russia have meanwhile agreed to pause fighting for the Orthodox Easter holidays, marking a rare 32-hour break in hostilities.

Previous truces during the four-year war were brief and limited, and both sides quickly accused the other of breaking them.

With efforts to end the four-year-old conflict pushed off course by the Middle East war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that he had put forward a holiday ceasefire proposal through the United States.

In a statement, the Kremlin said that “a ceasefire is declared from 16:00 (13:00 GMT) on April 11 until the end of the day on 12 April 2026” by Russian President Vladimir Putin, “in connection with the approaching Orthodox feast of Easter.”

The Kremlin statement did not refer to Kyiv’s earlier proposal.

Hours later, Mr Zelensky said that “Ukraine has repeatedly stated that we are prepared to take reciprocal measures. We proposed a ceasefire this year during the Easter holidays and will act accordingly.”

“People need an Easter free from threats and real progress toward peace, and Russia has a chance to avoid returning to hostilities after Easter,” he added.

The Kremlin said Mr Putin had ordered the Russian General Staff “to cease combat operations in all directions for this period,” while also stating that Russian forces were prepared to “counter any possible provocations by the enemy”.

“We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation.”

Slow advances

The war has killed hundreds of thousands and driven millions from their homes, cementing its place as Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

For much of the past few years, the front lines have largely stagnated, with Russia making only modest territorial gains at heavy cost.

Still, Ukraine has recently managed to regain ground in the southeast, while Russian momentum has slowed since late 2025, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Alongside Ukrainian counter-attacks, analysts said the slowdown reflected Russia’s loss of access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellites and Moscow’s own attempts to block the Telegram messaging app.

Both the satellite network and the messaging platform have been widely used by troops for battlefield communications, particularly in coordinating the drone operations that now dominate much of the war.

Worshippers attend Holy Thursday service inside St Michaels Cathedral in Kyiv

The picture is less favourable for Ukraine in the Donetsk region, however, especially in the direction of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, according to the ISW.

Russia is seeking the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from both cities without a fight as part of any future peace deal.

In recent days, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, with particular focus on oil-exporting ports after the Middle East war sent prices higher.

Multiple rounds of US-led diplomacy have failed to narrow the gap between the two sides, and Washington’s focus has now shifted to Iran.

The talks have stalled, with Russia demanding territorial and political concessions that Mr Zelensky has rejected as effectively amounting to capitulation.

Russia controls just over 19% of Ukraine, most of it captured in the opening weeks of the war.

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