Donald Trump has described Ukraine’s resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries as a “disgrace,” renewing his criticism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the collapse of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine restarted attacks on Russian oil facilities after Zelenskyy announced Kyiv was abandoning a ceasefire that Trump had abruptly declared the previous week. Neither Russia nor Ukraine had confirmed agreeing to the ceasefire.
Trump’s Criticism of Ukraine’s Energy Strikes
Speaking in an interview with Newsmax aired Thursday, Trump stated that Ukraine’s targeting of diesel refineries was harmful to global energy supplies. “All he’s doing is making the world oil price higher. Well, I think that’s a disgrace,” he said. “There are a lot of targets you can hit, but when you shoot at diesel refineries where you make diesel oil, and we need that, and the world needs that, then he’s not doing a good service for the world.”
Relations between Washington and Kyiv have become strained after Trump’s intervention eased sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large diesel supplies to global markets. Zelenskyy criticized the agreement as enabling Russia to continue its full-scale invasion.
Strained U.S.-Ukraine Relations and Starlink Dispute
The tension deepened when Ukraine disclosed that Starlink satellite services had been restricted, which impaired Ukrainian drone strikes and air defenses. Zelenskyy expressed feeling betrayed by Trump over the move. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting indicated that the U.S. assured the restoration of Starlink after the disruption.
European Support and Continued Conflict
Meanwhile, European leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine during Zelenskyy’s visit to Brussels. European Council President António Costa promised continued assistance in both military support and Ukraine’s EU membership path. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged further sanctions on Russia, emphasizing that no sanctions would be lifted until the war ends.
In contrast, the Kremlin accused Ukraine of undermining U.S. peace efforts by resuming attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. As Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron and others, he reported that Russia had launched another drone strike on Lutsk’s energy infrastructure, causing blackouts.
