Trump Calls Ukraine Refinery Strikes a Disgrace as Zelenskyy Says Starlink Curbs Still Ongoing
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Oct 16
Trump Calls Ukraine Refinery Strikes a Disgrace as Zelenskyy Says Starlink Curbs Still Ongoing
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Oct 16
Summary
Trump said Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries were a “disgrace,” arguing they were driving up global oil prices and making President Volodymyr Zelenskyy harder to deal with than Vladimir Putin.
Kyiv resumed the strikes Thursday after declaring Trump’s “energy ceasefire” dead, saying Russia had refused to stop hitting Ukraine’s power grid and that the truce had weakened Ukraine’s leverage.
Zelenskyy, in Brussels seeking European backing, accused Washington of endangering civilians through deals with Moscow and said Starlink service had improved but was still not fully restored.
The clash follows U.S. moves that alarmed Kyiv, including Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, eased sanctions on Russian diesel exports, and questions over whether intelligence support was curtailed.
The Kremlin backed Trump’s criticism on Friday, while European and Ukrainian officials said the recent U.S. pressure appeared aimed at forcing Kyiv into concessions in stalled peace talks.
Will the severe domestic fuel shortages triggered by Ukraine's 2026 refinery strikes force Moscow to negotiate or escalate the conflict?
With Washington easing sanctions and Europe doubling down, can Kyiv survive this deepening transatlantic divide over the war?
How will Ukraine sustain its crippling drone campaign against Russian refineries without full access to critical US satellite systems?
The 2026 U.S.-Ukraine Rift: Energy Deals, Starlink Curbs, and Europe’s Race to Replace American Support
Overview
In 2026, a sudden U.S.-Ukraine rift emerged after the U.S. faced a domestic energy crisis triggered by the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which caused fuel shortages and soaring diesel prices. To ease political pressure before the midterm elections, President Trump negotiated a controversial energy deal with Russia, suspending sanctions on Russian diesel. This move angered Ukraine, especially as it coincided with U.S. restrictions on satellite support and intelligence sharing. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s refinery strikes had crippled Russia’s fuel production, causing shortages across Russia. As U.S. support waned, Europe increased its aid, laying the groundwork for a new European defense alliance.