Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying the attacks were contributing to a shortage of diesel fuel in Russia.
Speaking in Ireland, where he was attending the Irish Open at one of his golf courses, Mr Trump was asked whether he had spoken to Mr Zelenskyy after his recent conversation with Vladimir Putin.
“Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Mr Trump said. “Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel fuel.”
Ukraine’s recent long-range drone attacks have focused on Russia’s oil and gas industry. Kyiv says the sector helps fund and directly support Moscow’s war effort.
The campaign has contributed to fuel rationing across Russia, despite the country being a major oil and gas exporter. Ukrainian forces have also targeted major Russian online retailers, bringing the conflict closer to the civilian population.
Fresh drone attacks reported across Russia and Ukraine
Mr Trump’s comments came as Russia and Ukraine exchanged further waves of drone attacks overnight.
Two people were killed in Russia’s Tatarstan, according to local officials. Ukrainian authorities said Russian drones struck the Black Sea port of Odesa, while a fire was reported near a border crossing with Poland.
Russia has intensified its air campaign in recent weeks, using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones against Ukraine. Officials in Kyiv say Moscow has targeted the power grid ahead of winter in an effort to demoralise civilians.
A Russian drone also struck a train near the Ukraine-Poland border shortly after a service carrying senior Western figures had passed through the area. Ukraine’s rail operator said the drone hit the engine at Yahodyn, but no casualties were reported and all passengers were evacuated.
The train had carried former CIA director David Petraeus, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson and former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt, among other officials, after a conference in Kyiv.
Russia said it had struck railway infrastructure used to transport military cargo from European countries. Mr Johnson described the attack as “random and senseless” and questioned when Ukraine would receive the air defences it needed.
Kremlin says autumn peace talks remain possible
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow remained open to renewed peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in the autumn.
“We are not ruling out that possibility,” Mr Peskov said, adding that October could not be ruled out.
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff held talks with Mr Putin in Moscow last weekend before meeting Mr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Mr Kushner said territorial concessions remained the main issue separating the two sides.
