Ukraine's resumption of strikes on Russian refineries is 'disgrace', Trump says - Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump described Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian oil refineries as a “disgrace” during a public statement. He reiterated his view that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin harbor personal animosity toward each other.

The comment came after Zelensky rejected Trump’s earlier appeal for an “energy ceasefire” that would halt Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Trump had urged Kyiv to pause the operations, arguing that they were counterproductive.

Zelensky, meanwhile, traveled to Brussels on the sidelines of an EU summit to seek additional support from European allies. In his remarks, he emphasized the strategic importance of the strikes and dismissed the notion of a ceasefire on energy targets.

The Ukrainian leader’s outreach to European officials coincided with the renewed targeting of Russian refineries, which Kyiv says is intended to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine. European leaders have not publicly endorsed a ceasefire on the energy sector.

Trump’s remarks and Zelensky’s response highlight a divergence in the approaches of the United States and Ukraine regarding the use of energy infrastructure as a battlefield in the ongoing conflict.