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U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia has lost control of its oil refining industry as a result of the war with Ukraine, arguing that Ukrainian attacks have put a significant number of Russian refineries out of operation, at least temporarily.
“Russia, unfortunately, has lost control of its oil refining industry because of the war with Ukraine. A large number of their oil refineries have been blown up and, at least temporarily, put out of commission,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump also called for an end to what he described as a “senseless and endless” war, claiming that about 25,000 people, mostly military personnel, are being killed each month.
His comments came shortly after Axios reported that Trump had repeatedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries during their September 20 phone call. According to a source familiar with the conversation, the U.S. president linked the attacks to rising global diesel prices.
The source told Axios that the word “diesel” was mentioned repeatedly during the conversation. The issue has become part of Washington’s broader efforts to reduce hostilities and revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump has previously called on Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, saying the strikes were contributing to pressure on global fuel supplies. Axios has also reported that Ukrainian drone attacks have disrupted Russian refining capacity and contributed to fuel shortages and market pressure.
The latest remarks come as Ukraine continues its long-range campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, while the Trump administration is pushing for renewed negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
The Ukrainian and U.S. presidents are expected to meet in New York this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy said after their phone call that the meeting could give new momentum to the diplomatic process.
