Trump says he asked Zelenskyy to scale back strikes on Russian refineries
US President Donald Trump said he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to scale back strikes on Russian oil refineries over concerns about global fuel supplies and prices, adding that Zelenskyy told him he would “probably” do so.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said attacks on Russian refineries were contributing to pressure on global fuel markets.
“The big problem is that the refineries in Russia are being blown up,” Trump said, arguing that Ukraine's strikes were affecting Russia's ability to refine and export fuel.
Trump said he told Zelenskyy that Ukraine needed to “slow down” its attacks on Russian refineries. According to Trump's account, Zelenskyy replied that he would “probably” do so.
Zelenskyy has not publicly confirmed that exchange or announced a change in Ukraine's policy on strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.
Axios previously reported, citing an unnamed source, that Trump had asked Zelenskyy during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Trump has also publicly linked Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities to shortages of diesel fuel and rising prices.
Other members of the US administration have made similar arguments. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has cited Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as one factor contributing to the current energy crisis, alongside the war with Iran.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has also linked record diesel prices in the United States to damage sustained by Russian refineries and the resulting decline in Russian fuel exports.