Trump accuses Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war; Lithuania blames Russia for Starlink sabotage attempt

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to put a sweeping new sanctions package against the Russian economy on hold, and has again accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said he is negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine and does not want to drive Russia away from the bargaining table. In his words, Zelenskyy does not care and, given the money Europe is giving him, "probably never did" want the war to end. Trump signed the executive order suspending the sanctions on Friday.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy thanked the Trump administration for resuming intelligence sharing between the two countries, but maintained that the US had deliberately throttled Starlink satellite internet access to send Kyiv a "message".

Starlink infrastructure in Europe

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius told broadcaster LRT that Russia was likely behind an attempted arson attack on a company hosting Starlink satellite communication hardware. Authorities found flammable liquids at the firm. He said it houses nine satellite antennas that guarantee the Starlink connection and so support Ukraine, calling the incident part of Russia's hybrid war involving sabotage. In September, a Starlink satellite station in central Poland was set on fire, with Warsaw alleging sabotage. Bulgaria is investigating claims that Starlink-linked antennas were set alight.

Russian diesel for the US market

Russian deputy prime minister for energy Alexander Novak told state media that once contracts are signed, diesel will reach US markets within 15 to 20 days. Commercial terms are still being negotiated and no signing date has been announced. Trump announced the agreement with Moscow last week; it is seen as a way to lower fuel prices for American consumers ahead of the midterm elections.

Strikes and incidents

On Sunday Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones at Russia, one of its largest aerial attacks of the war. An oil export terminal and the Ruchi oil depot in St Petersburg caught fire; one person was killed and five wounded. A logistics centre of retailer Ozon and a datacentre run by tech company VK were also targeted. Russia's defence ministry said it destroyed 1,015 drones.

In Kyiv, a Russian air strike overnight into Monday killed one person and injured two, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. In Lithuania, a suspected drone exploded on Sunday, forcing residents of northern and central areas to shelter for an hour. Ukraine's foreign ministry regretted the incident and said Russian electronic warfare may have diverted the drones. According to Lithuania's defence minister, the object flew in from Poland.