Trump calls Ukraine’s renewed refinery strikes “a disgrace” after Russia’s 39-missile strike on its energy sites

In an interview on 15 October with Newsmax, US President Donald Trump denounced Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries, calling them "a disgrace." Trump questioned President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's determination to conclude the war. This came after Trump struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to permit Russian diesel fuel imports into the United States ahead of the country's mid-term elections.

Ukrainian officials claim their long-range missile attacks have destroyed over half of Russia's refining capacity, a significant source of income for Moscow. Trump criticized Zelenskyy over the oil prices, despite remaining silent on Russian strikes. Earlier, Zelenskyy announced a three-day ceasefire for Ukrainian refineries to comply with US wishes, following Trump's announcement of an "energy ceasefire" on 11 October. However, Russia retaliated by striking a Kharkiv heat-and-power plant hours after the announcement.

During the Newsmax interview, Trump accused Zelenskyy of manipulating global oil prices, stating that it was "a disgrace." He added that Ukraine had alternative targets it could strike. Trump did not comment on Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine ahead of winter. Trump described Zelenskyy as a circus performer, expressing that he found Zelenskyy more challenging to deal with than Putin.

The US leader also suggested that the depletion of US ammunition stockpiles might be due to aid provided to Ukraine under the Biden administration, rather than the ongoing conflict with Iran. Ukraine has repeatedly offered to assist the US in countering Iranian drones during operations. The New York Times reported that a Ukrainian team departed the United States the day after a request for such assistance was made.

However, Trump once again likened Zelenskyy to P. T. Barnum, the 19th-century American circus showman, highlighting that he had received a large number of Patriots and Tomahawks. There is no public confirmation that Tomahawk missiles were transferred to Ukraine during the Biden administration.