Trump calls Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries a "shame"

US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Ukraine's renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries in an interview with the American broadcaster Newsmax, published on Thursday. The strikes are part of the war Russia launched in Ukraine, and Trump's remarks point to growing strain between Washington and Kyiv.

Asked about the resumed strikes, Trump said: "Well, I think it's a disgrace." The Russian-language and Latvian source renders his word as "apkaunojums", meaning shame or disgrace. He added that such attacks push up global energy prices.

Criticism of Zelensky

The 80-year-old Trump again criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He claimed Zelensky is less willing than Russian President Vladimir Putin to compromise in order to end the war. "It should end soon. I think in fact they both would like to see the end of it," Trump said, adding that he finds Zelensky harder to deal with than Putin.

Zelensky in Brussels

As relations with Trump weaken, Zelensky met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels. He also held several bilateral meetings with European leaders. On Friday, the Ukrainian president was due to attend a European Union summit.

Zelensky has told the newspaper The Financial Times that the pause in strikes on Russian oil refineries is over. He said the reason is that Moscow keeps attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, thereby violating the ceasefire announced by Trump.