Trump calls Ukraine’s oil refinery strikes a disgrace after Volodymyr Zelenskyy abandoned Donald Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire with Russia, accusing Moscow of continuing attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure despite the reported agreement to suspend strikes.
Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil facilities, including a Rosneft refinery southeast of Moscow that helps supply the Russian capital, following growing frustration over Russia’s continued strikes on Ukrainian energy targets.
Trump criticised Ukraine’s decision to target Russian refineries, arguing that the attacks could increase global oil prices and undermine wider international energy interests.
“All he’s doing is making the world oil price higher. Well, I think that’s a disgrace,” Trump told Newsmax.
The US president also questioned the military strategy behind Ukraine’s attacks, suggesting that striking facilities producing diesel fuel could have consequences beyond the battlefield.
“There are a lot of targets you can hit, but when you shoot at diesel refineries where you make, you know, diesel oil, and we need that, and the world needs that, then he’s not doing a good service for the world.”
His remarks came as the proposed energy ceasefire appeared to unravel, with both sides continuing military operations against infrastructure critical to their respective economies.
Putin Accused of Ignoring Trump’s Energy Ceasefire
The energy ceasefire was announced by Trump on Sunday, when he said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
The arrangement was intended to reduce damage to power supplies and other critical facilities while creating an opportunity for further diplomatic engagement.
However, Kyiv subsequently accused Russia of continuing missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian energy targets, including power stations, despite the reported understanding.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s patience had run out after Moscow allegedly failed to respect the proposed suspension of attacks.
Speaking to the Financial Times on Thursday, the Ukrainian president indicated that Kyiv would no longer maintain its restraint while Russian forces continued striking energy infrastructure.
Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil facilities followed the breakdown of the arrangement, although Moscow also vowed to retaliate against Ukrainian strikes.
The developments have raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of Trump’s attempts to reduce hostilities through limited agreements while the wider war continues.
Zelenskyy Declares Ukraine’s Patience Has Run Out
Zelenskyy’s decision to abandon the energy ceasefire reflects Kyiv’s position that any agreement must be respected by both sides.
Ukraine has repeatedly argued that unilateral restraint would leave its energy infrastructure vulnerable if Russian forces continued their attacks.
The renewed Ukrainian strikes also demonstrate Kyiv’s willingness to target facilities that contribute to Russia’s energy revenues and military logistics.
Moscow, meanwhile, has threatened retaliation against attacks on its oil infrastructure, raising the possibility of further escalation.
The situation illustrates the difficulty of securing even limited agreements between the two countries while both governments remain committed to their military objectives.
Trump Says Zelenskyy Is Difficult to Deal With
Trump intensified his criticism of the Ukrainian president, questioning his intentions and suggesting that Kyiv was not doing enough to secure an end to the war.
“Zelensky’s not a good guy for us to deal with,” Trump said.
“He says he wants to settle, but he doesn’t. I’m not a big fan of Zelensky. They’ve destroyed that country.”
The president also called for elections in Ukraine, adding another contentious issue to the already strained relationship between Washington and Kyiv.
Trump said he believed both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy wanted the war to end, but portrayed negotiations with the Ukrainian leader as more difficult.
His comments could further complicate diplomatic efforts, particularly as Ukraine continues to rely on Western support to sustain its defence against Russia’s invasion.
For Kyiv, however, the central concern remains Russia’s military campaign and the protection of Ukrainian territory, infrastructure and civilians.
Trump’s Criticism Raises Questions About US Support
Trump’s remarks underline the continuing tension between his stated desire to end the war and Ukraine’s insistence that any settlement must address the realities of Russia’s invasion.
His criticism of Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries also highlights competing priorities surrounding military pressure, energy markets and diplomatic negotiations.
Ukraine views strikes on Russian infrastructure as a means of weakening Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort.
Trump, by contrast, argued that attacks on diesel-producing facilities could push energy prices higher and affect countries beyond the conflict.
The disagreement illustrates the challenge of reconciling Ukraine’s military strategy with Washington’s broader economic and diplomatic calculations.
Russia and Ukraine Continue Attacking Strategic Infrastructure
The breakdown of the proposed energy ceasefire comes amid continued attacks on infrastructure that supports military operations and civilian life.
Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities and other strategic assets, seeking to disrupt supplies and impose economic costs on Moscow.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, meanwhile, have threatened electricity generation and essential services.
Both countries have increasingly sought to damage assets that can affect the other side’s ability to sustain the war.
Russia has also pledged to respond to Ukrainian attacks on its oil industry, suggesting that the latest escalation could lead to further strikes on energy facilities.
The failure of the proposed arrangement raises concerns that infrastructure will remain a major target as the war continues.
White House Reportedly Ordered Restrictions Affecting Ukraine’s Starshield System
Separate reporting has raised questions about the availability of military-grade satellite communications technology used by Ukrainian forces.
According to Reuters, citing two US officials and a Western official, an order to slow military-grade Starshield for Ukraine came from within the White House. The officials did not identify the person responsible for the decision.
Starshield is the military-grade version of Starlink, the satellite communications system owned and operated by SpaceX. The Pentagon is Starshield’s biggest customer.
Ukrainian officials have reported that military-grade Starlink and Starshield terminals mounted on fast-moving objects stopped working in Ukraine, affecting drone guidance.
The reported restrictions could have implications for Ukraine’s battlefield communications and its use of drones, which have become an important part of the conflict.
However, the available reporting did not establish who issued the order or fully explain the circumstances surrounding the reported disruption.
German Political Debate Intensifies Over Ukraine Funding
Support for Ukraine has also become a subject of political disagreement in Germany.
Alice Weidel, leader of the Alternative for Germany party, threatened to withdraw German funding, arguing that Ukraine was too small to win the war and that continuing support was not in Germany’s interests.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected the idea of abandoning Kyiv, warning that such a decision would have far-reaching consequences for Europe.
Merz said giving up on Ukraine would have “an enormous impact on the entire political order of this continent”.
The contrasting positions reflect a wider European debate over military assistance, financial commitments and the long-term consequences of Russia’s invasion.
For Ukraine, continued Western support remains a crucial factor in sustaining its defence, while political divisions among its partners could affect future assistance.
Ukraine Tests Medical Evacuation Drone
Ukraine is also developing technology intended to improve battlefield medical evacuation.
The country is testing a SkyFall aerial medical evacuation drone with six propellers, designed to carry loads of up to 330 pounds and reach speeds of approximately 65 miles per hour.
The drone could help transport injured personnel from dangerous areas where conventional evacuation methods are difficult or expose medical teams to enemy fire.
Its development reflects the growing role of unmanned systems in the war, extending beyond reconnaissance and combat operations to include logistical and humanitarian applications.
Ukraine and Russia Face Heavy Military Losses
The human cost of the war remains severe, with both countries sustaining substantial casualties since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Former Ukrainian top general Oleksandr Syrskyi claimed that Russia’s overall war losses were six times higher than Ukraine’s, while Russian deaths were as much as 11 times higher.
These figures represent Syrskyi’s assessment and should be treated as a claim rather than an independently verified comparison.
Russian independent outlet Mediazona has identified 258,989 named Russian military personnel killed. British intelligence agency GCHQ said in May that nearly 500,000 Russian troops had been killed since the invasion began in February 2022.
Casualty estimates can differ significantly depending on the methodology, reporting period and distinction between those killed, wounded, missing or otherwise removed from combat.
Nevertheless, the available figures underline the enormous human cost of a conflict that has continued despite repeated diplomatic efforts.
Ukraine Targets Russian Data Centres and Telecommunications
Ukraine has also attacked data centres and telecommunications infrastructure inside Russia, including facilities associated with Yandex and Sberbank.
These operations broaden the range of strategic targets beyond oil refineries, military installations and energy infrastructure.
Damage or disruption to digital services can affect businesses and ordinary residents, with reports indicating consequences for everyday activities such as dating applications and takeaway deliveries.
The attacks demonstrate how the conflict increasingly extends into the technological infrastructure that supports economic and social life.
For Russia, protecting these systems has become another challenge as Ukraine seeks to disrupt assets beyond the immediate battlefield.
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Energy Ceasefire Collapse Deepens Uncertainty
The collapse of Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire highlights the difficulties of securing limited agreements without a broader settlement addressing the war’s underlying issues.
Ukraine abandoned the arrangement after accusing Russia of continuing attacks on its energy infrastructure, while Moscow threatened retaliation following renewed Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities.
Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy adds another layer of tension, particularly as Washington seeks to influence the course of the conflict while weighing the military, diplomatic and economic consequences.
With both sides continuing to target strategic infrastructure, the prospect of a sustained pause in attacks remains uncertain.
The latest developments leave the proposed ceasefire in tatters and raise fresh questions about whether diplomatic pressure can persuade Moscow and Kyiv to suspend attacks while the wider war continues.
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