UKRAINE VOWS MORE STRIKES ON RUSSIAN REFINERIES DESPITE TRUMP’S DIESEL DEAL WITH PUTIN
Ukraine has vowed to continue targeting Russian oil refineries despite efforts by President Donald Trump to increase diesel supplies and lower American fuel prices. A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that Kyiv’s attacks would continue, declaring, “We will burn [Russian] refineries.”
The warning follows a reported October 9 agreement between Trump and Vladimir Putin. Under the deal, Russia would supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tons in November, with larger shipments possible. Trump reportedly hopes the additional fuel will ease prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the agreement as a “weak decision,” arguing that increased economic support for Russia could prolong the war. He insisted that any Ukrainian pause in refinery attacks must be matched by Russia ending strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, analysts at Kpler estimate that repeated Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced Russia’s operational refining capacity to approximately 60%. This raises questions about Moscow’s ability to fulfill the reported diesel commitments, especially after Russia restricted exports to address domestic shortages.
Trump had previously urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries, warning that the disruption was contributing to higher fuel costs for Americans. Kyiv refused without a reciprocal commitment from Moscow, prompting Washington to pursue a direct arrangement with Russia.
The situation now presents a major challenge for Trump’s fuel-price strategy. While Washington seeks additional Russian diesel to ease market pressure, Ukraine remains determined to disrupt Russia’s refining industry, creating uncertainty over future supplies and potential relief for American consumers.