Trump Pressures Zelenskyy to Halt Russian Refinery Strikes

President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries to stabilize soaring global diesel prices. During a phone call on Sunday and subsequent public statements, Trump argued that Russia has lost control of its diesel industry, causing fuel shortages and driving U.S. prices to a record $6.51 per gallon. He urged Zelenskyy to target other sites but avoid diesel fuel facilities to provide global market relief.

President Zelenskyy responded by stating that Ukraine could consider stopping attacks on Russian territory if Russia provides reliable guarantees to stop targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure, energy sectors, and food exports. This diplomatic tension follows a major Ukrainian drone attack on a Gazprom Neft-owned refinery in Moscow that killed three people. Despite these hostilities, the two leaders agreed to meet Tuesday in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss security, energy, and food supplies.

Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umerov indicated that the number of stumbling blocks in peace talks has been reduced to one or two key issues. This push for de-escalation coincides with Trump signing a Russia sanctions bill and approving a major arms deal for Ukraine. Separately, Trump criticized the conflict as ridiculous and never ending, while denying allegations that his administration is attacking the free press, instead characterizing his criticism of mainstream media as a campaign against fake news.