Trump calls Ukraine’s renewed strikes on Russian refineries a ‘disgrace’ as clash erupts over Russian diesel deal
First seen · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul) · Last updated · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul)
After the U.S. struck a diesel deal easing sanctions on Russian fuel, Ukraine broke the ‘energy truce’ on Oct. 15 and resumed attacks on Russian refineries. President Trump denounced it as a “disgrace,” while President Zelensky countered that the deal funds Putin’s war.
What happened
The U.S. agreed to a deal that lifts sanctions on Russian fuel in exchange for Russia releasing 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, 500,000 tons in November and a further 1 million tons after that. After Trump announced a halt to attacks on both countries’ energy facilities, Ukraine paused strikes on Russian oil facilities for three days but hit Russian refineries again on Oct. 15.
Why it's trending
President Volodymyr Zelensky declared the truce “over,” saying Russia kept attacking Ukrainian energy facilities even after it was announced. He criticized the diesel deal as putting money in Putin’s pocket to fund the war. U.S. officials said they struck the deal because Zelensky repeatedly ignored requests to stop hitting refineries.
Reactions
Trump called Ukraine’s refinery strikes a “disgrace” and went so far as to say “find a new leader you can make a deal with.” Zelensky said the U.S. military side had warned it would cut off intelligence sharing if the strikes did not stop, but Trump denied any intelligence cutoff. EU leaders backed Zelensky at a summit in Brussels.
What to watch
Ahead of the midterm elections, Trump has blamed Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries for rising energy prices. There were also reports that Trump and Vice President Vance would hold a video call with Zelensky ahead of a summit with Putin.