Trump Calls Ukraine's Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries 'a Disgrace'

US President Donald Trump has condemned Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries as "a disgrace," after the collapse of an "energy ceasefire" between the two countries. In remarks reported by The Guardian, Trump also said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is "more difficult to deal with than Putin." The comments mark a sharp shift in tone from Washington toward Kyiv, which has relied on US military and political support throughout Russia's invasion.

The strikes target Russian refining infrastructure, a key source of revenue for Moscow's war effort. Ukraine has increasingly turned to long-range drone attacks on energy facilities inside Russia, arguing they degrade the Kremlin's ability to fund and sustain its military operations. The collapse of the energy ceasefire removes a rare point of restraint in the conflict and raises questions about whether further attempts at de-escalation are feasible.

Trump's characterization of Zelenskyy as the harder counterparty is notable given his previous statements about the Ukrainian leader and his repeated calls for a swift end to the war. The remarks suggest growing friction between Washington and Kyiv over the direction of the conflict and the terms of any negotiated settlement.

For investors, the renewed strikes and the breakdown of the energy truce add uncertainty to energy markets, which have been sensitive to disruptions in Russian oil flows. The comments also introduce a political risk premium around US-Ukraine relations, with implications for defense spending, sanctions policy, and the broader geopolitical backdrop. Markets will watch whether the strikes continue and whether Washington adjusts its support for Kyiv in response.