Trump Criticizes Ukraine Over Refinery Attacks, Suggests Presidential Change
US President Donald Trump defended a diesel agreement with Russia and criticized Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries. He also called for a new president in Ukraine, while Kyiv reportedly said it would only stop such attacks under a mutual energy truce. The remarks came as US diesel prices exceeded $6 a gallon ahead of the midterm elections.
Trump announced the diesel arrangement after speaking with Putin, saying Moscow would send more than a million tons to global markets through 2027. The announcement came as Ukrainian representatives met Trump envoys in Miami, a visit Zelensky called a diversion. It also preceded planned U.S. sanctions that would impose 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil.
Kyiv has reportedly signaled it would only halt refinery strikes as part of a mutual energy truce shielding its own grid. Meanwhile, Ukraine has proposed freezing the front line, while Moscow has demanded concessions including Donetsk, which its forces have not captured; recent Ukrainian gains have reversed many of Russia's 2026 advances.
The dispute could affect U.S. consumers and farmers already facing elevated diesel costs, while also shaping voter sentiment before the midterms. In Ukraine, any halt or continuation of refinery strikes may influence energy security and civilian conditions. The proposed diesel flow and looming sanctions could unsettle global fuel markets, with consequences for importers and producers. How Kyiv and Washington manage the rift may also affect diplomatic efforts to end the war.