TRUMP: UKRAINIAN REFINERY STRIKES HAVE SERIOUSLY HIT RUSSIA
Asked about Ukraine’s strikes against Russian refining capacity and diesel production, President Donald Trump acknowledged that the campaign has inflicted serious damage.
“It very seriously hit, certainly, Russia,” Trump said.
However, he immediately pointed to the other side of that impact: reduced Russian production has contributed to rising global diesel prices. Trump said the issue would be discussed, making it an important part of his negotiations with President Zelenskyy.
This also gives Ukraine leverage.
The strikes have created a problem that Trump wants resolved. Zelenskyy therefore arrives at the negotiating table with something valuable to offer: Ukraine could reduce or suspend attacks against Russian refineries—but only in exchange for meaningful reciprocal steps, such as Russia ending its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, food exports and cities.
Without Ukraine’s ability to damage Russian refining, there would be little incentive for Moscow or Washington to negotiate around the issue. The effectiveness of the campaign created the leverage.
The statement confirms that Ukraine’s refinery strikes are not symbolic. Repeated attacks have disrupted production, temporarily closed facilities and reduced Russia’s ability to turn crude oil into diesel and other refined products needed by its military and economy.
Higher global prices create political pressure on Kyiv, but they also demonstrate why the strikes are strategically effective. Trump has now publicly acknowledged both realities: Ukraine’s campaign is seriously hurting Russia, and its continuation—or suspension—has become a bargaining chip in the talks ahead.