Trump Calls on Ukraine to Cease Attacks on Russian Oil Infrastructure
U.S. President Donald Trump on September 15 called on Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, asserting that both sides had agreed not to target each other's energy facilities. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that "Ukraine has agreed not to attack Russian energy targets, and Russia has done the same," adding that the surge in global diesel prices is driven primarily by the Russia‑Ukraine conflict, not by tensions with Iran.
Remarks During Visit to Ireland
Trump’s remarks came during a visit to Ireland, where he sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for continuing strikes on diesel refineries deep inside Russian territory. He said a recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin was "great" and suggested Putin is willing to negotiate an end to the war. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the U.S. call for Ukraine to stop hitting Russian oil sites.
Zelensky Responds
Zelensky responded that Kyiv is open to a "strong U.S. proposal" to jointly halt attacks on critical infrastructure, describing it as a potential first step toward de‑escalation. He noted that Russian retaliatory strikes have pressured Moscow’s wartime economy.
Background and Impact
The backdrop includes a June 18 fire at a Gazprom Neft refinery southeast of Moscow and a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries that have disrupted diesel supplies within Russia, though crude oil flow remains largely intact. Russia’s defence ministry reported shooting down 399 Ukrainian UAVs nationwide, with debris injuring five people in Sochi. Analysts also point to broader supply shocks: more than 20% of Middle Eastern refining capacity is offline and the Hormuz Strait, handling about one‑fifth of global oil, has faced closures, further tightening markets.