Trump criticizes Zelensky over attacks on Russian refineries: They are driving up oil prices, and I find it easier to deal with Putin

Donald Trump has criticized Ukraine’s decision to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries. The US president called the actions “a disgrace” and said they were contributing to rising fuel prices on global markets.

In an interview with Newsmax, Trump said it was harder to work with Volodymyr Zelensky than with Vladimir Putin. He also expressed doubts about whether the Ukrainian president truly wants to reach an agreement to end the war.

“It’s a shame! There are so many other targets,” Trump said, referring to Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

He said the strikes were affecting the international energy market. “All it does is drive up oil prices around the world,” the US president said.

Trump also criticized Kyiv’s stance in talks to end the conflict. “It’s harder to work with Zelensky than with Putin,” he said, claiming that the Ukrainian leader was unwilling to make a deal with Moscow. “He says yes, but in reality he isn’t,” Trump added.

The comments came after a Ukrainian drone attack on a refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region. It was the first attack on a Russian energy facility since Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.

On Thursday, October 15, Zelensky announced that Ukraine would resume attacks on Russian refineries, despite the energy ceasefire announced by Trump. He urged the US president not to side with Russia, which Kyiv considers the aggressor in the war.

The opposing reactions reflect disagreements between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine’s military strategy, strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, and the terms of a peace agreement.

Negotiations to end the war are continuing, but it remains unclear whether the parties will agree to a lasting ceasefire.