Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Trump urges Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian fuel refineries
US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries, citing concerns over global diesel shortages affecting neighbouring countries.
LSN Malaysia ·
Trump said Zelensky needs to redirect Ukraine's military operations away from Russian energy infrastructure, particularly facilities producing diesel fuel. The US president expressed concern that continued strikes on refineries are exacerbating fuel supply constraints that extend beyond Ukraine's borders.
The attacks on Russian petroleum infrastructure have disrupted diesel markets in the region, creating ripple effects across neighbouring nations that depend on stable fuel supplies. Trump's intervention reflects broader concerns about the economic fallout from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The remarks underscore tensions between supporting Ukraine's defence efforts and managing the wider regional consequences of the conflict. Zelensky has previously justified targeting Russian energy facilities as a necessary military strategy to constrain Moscow's war capabilities.
It remains unclear whether Ukraine will adjust its operational focus in response to Trump's appeal. The issue highlights the competing priorities facing Western leaders as they balance military support for Kyiv with economic stability concerns in surrounding regions.