Trump calls Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries a disgrace amid gas price concerns
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
President Donald Trump criticized Ukraine's renewed attacks on Russian oil facilities, saying they raise global oil prices, while Kyiv defended its actions as a response to Russia's attacks and U.S. pressure.
President Donald Trump said Ukraine's recent strikes on Russian oil refineries are a "disgrace" and warned they could push world oil prices higher. He told Newsmax host Rob Finnerty that there are "plenty of other targets" and that Ukraine does not need to hit refineries.
Kyiv announced it would no longer follow Trump’s "energy ceasefire" after Russia continued attacks on Ukraine’s power grid. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the United States of endangering civilian lives by negotiating with Moscow and reducing support critical to Ukraine’s defense.
The Ukrainian government also reported disruptions to the Starlink satellite service and limited access to its military-grade version, Starshield, which it said hampered communications and drone operations. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said decisions about the service are made by the U.S. military and ultimately by the president.
A senior U.S. official told NBC News that the president had not requested any changes to the Starshield service, and Trump denied restricting military intelligence for Ukraine.
The dispute comes as the United States seeks to ease gasoline prices ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Last week, Trump announced a deal to purchase diesel from Russia, reversing previous U.S. policy, and urged Kyiv to halt all strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, even suggesting a change in Ukraine’s leadership.
European officials said the recent U.S. actions, including easing sanctions on Russian diesel exports, appear aimed at pressuring Kyiv to make concessions in peace negotiations. Russia’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed Trump’s view, stating that President Zelenskyy does not want to take responsibility for moving toward a peaceful resolution.