US President Donald Trump has criticised Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries, calling the strikes a “disgrace” and arguing that they could push global energy prices higher.
In an interview with Newsmax that aired on Thursday, Trump said Ukraine’s attacks on facilities producing diesel fuel were not helping global energy markets. His comments came after Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow, according to reports by Reuters.
The latest developments have added to tensions between Washington and Kyiv as the Trump administration attempts to negotiate an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine, which began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Trump Links Refinery Attacks to Global Fuel Prices
Trump argued that targeting Russian refineries could affect the international supply of petroleum products, particularly diesel. He said Ukraine had other potential military targets and questioned the decision to strike facilities that contribute to fuel production.
The US president has repeatedly emphasised the need to lower energy costs. In his Newsmax interview, he blamed Ukraine’s renewed refinery attacks for contributing to higher global oil prices.
However, the extent to which individual refinery strikes affect international prices depends on factors including the scale of the damage, available supplies, market expectations and wider geopolitical developments. Trump’s comments represent his assessment of the impact of the attacks.
Ukraine Resumes Attacks After Energy Ceasefire Dispute
The strikes followed a dispute over an energy ceasefire that Trump had announced over the weekend. The proposed arrangement was intended to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
Ukraine initially suspended attacks on Russian refineries but later said it would no longer observe the pause after continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s patience had run out. In comments reported by Reuters, he indicated that restrictions on attacks against Russian refineries had been lifted.
Russia, meanwhile, continued missile and drone attacks against Ukraine. Reuters reported that Russian strikes on energy infrastructure had disrupted electricity supplies to hundreds of thousands of people.
The disagreement highlights a key challenge in efforts to establish even a limited ceasefire: both sides accuse the other of continuing attacks, while the scope and enforcement of the proposed arrangement remain disputed.
Russian Refinery in Ryazan Targeted
The latest reported Ukrainian target was a refinery in the Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow. The facility is owned by Russian state oil company Rosneft and plays a role in supplying fuel to the Russian capital.
Russian regional authorities reported a fire at the refinery following a drone attack. Moscow’s Defence Ministry described the incident as a large-scale Ukrainian attack.
The strike’s full impact was not immediately clear. Russian President Vladimir Putin played down the damage caused by recent Ukrainian attacks on refineries, saying they had not caused anything particularly significant, according to Reuters.
Ukraine has used long-range drones to attack Russian oil-processing facilities and logistics infrastructure during the war. Kyiv has argued that these operations are part of its response to Russia’s sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Trump Criticises Zelenskyy as Tensions Grow
Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy’s approach to negotiations, saying he found the Ukrainian leader more difficult to deal with than Putin. The remarks underline the continuing strain in US-Ukrainian relations over how to end the war and what concessions, if any, should be considered.
The US administration has been seeking a ceasefire and a broader diplomatic settlement. Ukraine, however, has raised concerns about continued Russian attacks and the consequences of restrictions on its military support.
The dispute over refinery strikes is unfolding alongside concerns about Ukraine’s reliance on US-provided military technology and intelligence. Reuters separately reported that access to the military satellite communications service Starshield had been limited, affecting some Ukrainian battlefield operations. The circumstances and responsibility for the decision were not fully disclosed in the initial report.
What Happens Next?
The collapse of the energy pause raises questions about whether Washington can persuade Moscow and Kyiv to agree on a workable arrangement to protect energy infrastructure.
For global energy markets, the consequences will depend on whether attacks intensify, how much refining capacity is disrupted and whether the conflict affects fuel exports and transport routes. A single strike does not automatically translate into a sustained rise in global oil prices.
Neither a durable energy ceasefire nor a comprehensive peace agreement had been confirmed in the reports available at publication time.
