Trump calls Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian refineries a 'disgrace'
Trump branded Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian refineries a "disgrace," while Zelenskyy accused Trump of rewarding Putin by easing sanctions, amid continued disagreement between the two over how to pressure Moscow.
What happened
US President Donald Trump told Newsmax that Ukraine's resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries is a 'disgrace' that keeps global energy prices elevated.121718
Ukraine struck a Russian refinery after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was abandoning an energy-site ceasefire, with some outlets reporting this followed continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure.281213
Zelenskyy criticized Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russia, calling it a 'reward' for Putin that could intensify the war and warning of a possible Ukraine-wide 'blackout.'49101114
Trump separately said he finds Zelensky more difficult to work with than Putin and said he is not 'a great admirer' of the Ukrainian leader.1516
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
- Trump called Ukraine's resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries a "disgrace" (translated as "shame" in some outlets), saying it keeps global energy prices elevated, in an interview with Newsmax.126715161718
- Ukraine struck a Russian oil refinery after Zelenskyy declared Kyiv was abandoning a ceasefire covering energy sites that Trump had announced.281213
- Zelenskyy criticized Trump's decision to waive or roll back US sanctions on Russia, calling it a 'reward' for Putin.49101114
- Zelenskyy warned that Russia could use the sanctions relief or reduced pressure to disrupt Ukraine's energy supply and cause a Ukraine-wide 'blackout' before winter.1011
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Who broke the energy-site truce first
Characterization of Trump's sanctions move on Russia
Scale and framing of Russian strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure
The Guardian
Moscow launched one of its worst strikes yet on Ukraine's power plants, part of what is described as a Russian blueprint to make Ukrainian cities unlivable.4
Rappler
Russia rained down missile and drone strikes on energy targets including power stations, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people, after the energy-site halt agreement.13
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| US-aligned reporting on Trump's remarksAfrica | Vanguard and the South China Morning Post report Trump's Newsmax interview, centering his 'disgrace' quote and his view that Ukraine's strikes keep global energy prices elevated.12 | disgrace, energy prices |
| Russian state mediaRussia & Eurasia | RT frames the story as Trump increasing pressure on Ukraine after Zelensky 'ignored' US warnings, and separately Russia is described as publicly showcasing the refinery strike on state media, a departure from its usual practice of downplaying such attacks.37 | Trump pressure on Kyiv, Russia breaking with usual secrecy, Zelensky ignored warnings |
| European outlets covering Zelenskyy's responseEurope | Guardian, Politico Europe, Le Monde, El País, RTÉ, France 24 and Ukrainska Pravda emphasize Zelenskyy's warnings that sanctions relief rewards Putin, intensifies the war, and could enable a Ukraine-wide blackout, alongside Trump's criticism of Zelensky's negotiating approach.4101415161718 | reward for Putin, blackout warning, Trump-Zelensky rift, betrayal |
| South Asian coverageSouth Asia | Times of India and The Hindu foreground Zelenskyy's domestic messaging that Russia shows no sign of wanting to end the war and that Ukraine must prepare for winter, framing the refinery strikes within a narrative of Ukrainian resilience and feelings of betrayal by Trump.612 | winter preparation, betrayal, no peace signals from Russia |
| Independent and privately owned outlets in Africa and Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia | Daily Maverick and Rappler (via Reuters) foreground the sequence of events, noting Russia's strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure preceded Ukraine's decision to abandon the truce and hit the refinery.813 | sequence of truce breakdown, Russian strikes on power stations first |
| Middle East-based outletsMiddle East & Turkey | Anadolu Agency and Arab News cover Zelenskyy's statements hopeful that Trump will act to stop attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while also relaying his warning that the sanctions waiver rewards Putin and threatens a winter blackout.511 | hope for Trump intervention, reward for Putin, blackout warning |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported specific casualty figures or named locations/dates for the Russian refinery struck by Ukraine.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed the exact scope or legal mechanism of Trump's sanctions waiver or rollback on Russia.
- None of the outlets reviewed included a direct Russian government response to Zelenskyy's blackout allegations.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported on reactions from other US officials or members of Congress to Trump's 'disgrace' comment.
Why it matters
The dispute comes as the US attempts to broker an end to the war, with Trump pushing an energy-site ceasefire that Ukraine says Russia did not observe, while Trump has also moved to ease sanctions on Russia.481314
What to watch
- Whether Trump moves to further ease or reinstate sanctions on Russia.
- Whether Ukraine continues or halts strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
- How Russia responds to Ukrainian strikes given its unusual public acknowledgment of the refinery attack.
- Developments from Zelenskyy's outreach to European allies in Brussels.
Sources (18)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 4The GuardianGBPrivate
Zelenskyy says Trump’s lifting of sanctions on Russia will intensify war in Ukraine
- 10Politico EuropeBEPrivate
Zelenskyy says Putin is looking to cause Ukraine-wide ‘blackout’
- 14Ukrainska PravdaUAPrivate
Zelenskyy on Trump's decision: Diesel Deal is first step, lifting of Russia sanctions will continue
- 15Le MondeFRPrivate
Translated from French: EN DIRECT, guerre en Ukraine : Donald Trump critique Volodymyr Zelensky après la reprise des attaques sur les raffineries russes : « Il n’est pas le bon type pour trouver un accord »
- 16El PaísESPrivate
Trump calls Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries a "shame"
Translated from Spanish: Trump tacha de “vergüenza” la reanudación de los ataques ucranios contra las refinerías rusas
- 17RTÉ NewsIEPublic broadcaster
- 18France 24FRPublic broadcaster
Live: Trump calls renewed Ukraine attacks on Russian oil refineries 'a disgrace'
Russia & Eurasia
- 3RTRUState-controlled
From Russian oil to Starlink: How the US is redrawing its Ukraine playbook
Middle East & Turkey
- 5Anadolu AgencyTRState-controlled
Zelenskyy says Russia sanctions relief could continue, diesel deal ‘first step’
- 11Arab NewsSAPrivate
Zelensky says Trump waiving sanctions ‘rewards’ Putin, warns Moscow wants ‘blackout’ in Ukraine
Africa
- 1VanguardNGPrivate
Trump calls renewed Ukraine attacks on Russian refineries ‘a disgrace’
- 8Daily MaverickZAIndependent
Ukraine hits Russian refinery as Zelenskiy says ‘we’re done’ with Trump’s energy truce
South Asia
- 6The Times of IndiaINPrivate
Trump calls Ukraine attack on Russian oil refineries 'a disgrace', irks Zelenskyy
- 12The HinduINPrivate
Ukraine abandons truce and attacks Russian oil refinery as Zelenskyy says he feels betrayed by Trump
East Asia
- 2South China Morning PostHKPrivate
Trump rebukes Zelensky, calls Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries a ‘disgrace’
- 9Taipei TimesTWPrivate
Southeast Asia
- 7The Straits TimesSGPrivate
Russia talks up refinery attack as Trump blames Ukraine for expensive fuel
- 13RapplerPHIndependent
Ukraine hits Russian refinery as Zelenskyy says ‘we’re done’ with Trump’s energy truce