Ukraine’s attacks on oil refineries dealt Russia "serious blow"; I will discuss this with Zelenskyy – Trump
US President Donald Trump once again said that Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries had already affected diesel prices and called this a "serious problem" for Russia.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Censor.NET reports, citing his statement.
Trump on Ukraine’s attacks on Russia
Trump said that Ukrainian attacks on oil-refining facilities and diesel fuel stocks in Russia "dealt the Russians a serious blow" but also affected global diesel prices.
"Diesel fuel prices have risen significantly, but we will talk about that. But yes, this is certainly a very serious blow to Russia," Trump said.
On Patriot missiles and their production in Ukraine
Asked about the potential production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine, Trump responded cautiously, noting that the issue was currently under discussion.
"Maybe. We are talking about it. Very capable manufacturing. We talk about it all the time. Very capable people," he added.
On a possible diesel export ban
Journalists reminded Trump that Senator Sullivan had called for a temporary ban on US diesel fuel exports and that Senator Chuck Grassley and Congressman Mike Rogers had made the same proposal. Trump confirmed that he also supported such a move.
"We produce a lot of diesel. It could have some impact on regular automobile gasoline prices because everything is interconnected. But it is a balance. I have called for it; I have spoken to my people about it," he said before giving the floor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent clarified that the administration was examining whether overall oil-refining capacity would allow such a measure and whether a full or partial ban would work. According to Bessent, a decision could be made within several days.
Background
- On 21 September, US President Donald Trump said that Russia had lost control over its own oil refining industry because of its war against Ukraine.
- On 14 September, Trump claimed that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a mutual halt in strikes on energy facilities.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later responded to Trump, saying that Ukraine was prepared to refrain from striking Russian energy infrastructure if its partners guaranteed that Russia would not strike Ukraine’s.
- Russian dictator’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov called a possible energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia "a good idea".
- Media outlets reported that Trump planned to pressure his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree to a ceasefire with Russia during their face-to-face meeting in New York on 22 September. He wants Kyiv to agree to an energy ceasefire with Russia.
- US Vice President JD Vance expressed cautious optimism about progress, although he described Russia’s war against Ukraine as "the most difficult international conflict" to resolve.
- Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly called for a separate "energy ceasefire" between the two sides.
- In an interview with CBC News, Zelenskyy said that he was ready to meet Putin to bring peace closer. He also outlined a condition for de-escalation: Ukraine would stop striking Russian oil refineries only in response to a similar move by Moscow.
