Oil prices rise as Trump calls Ukraine’s resumption of strikes on Russian refineries a disgrace
Trump criticizes Ukraine’s strikes
In an interview aired Thursday by Newsmax, Trump said Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries were raising global oil prices. He described the strikes as “a disgrace,” according to the US president.
Trump also repeated his criticism of Zelenskyy, saying he found the Ukrainian leader harder to deal with than Russian president Vladimir Putin. He said he believed both leaders wanted the conflict to end.
Relations strained over energy
Relations between Kyiv and Washington have worsened since Trump eased sanctions on Russia last week. The move was made in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets. The renewed refinery strikes followed the collapse of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Starlink disruption raises concern
British defence secretary Wes Streeting said US defence secretary Pete Hegseth assured him in a face-to-face meeting that the satellite communications system had been restored. Streeting told the BBC the cause of the disruption was unclear, adding that Washington and Kyiv had fallen out before.
Key points
- Trump said Ukraine’s renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries were raising global oil prices.
- He again said Zelenskyy was harder to deal with than Putin.
- Streeting said Hegseth told him Starlink had been restored, but the disruption’s cause remained unclear.
- Zelenskyy said a Russian drone strike on energy infrastructure in Lutsk caused blackouts.