Kyiv/Washington, 24 October (H.S.): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump, describing his statements on the impact of Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil refineries on American diesel prices as “completely false”. Zelenskyy accused Trump of deflecting attention from the underlying causes of the global energy crisis, pointing instead to the conflict involving Iran and disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks come amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and their potential implications for global fuel supplies.

According to Russia’s international television network RT, Zelenskyy made the comments during an interview on Steven Bartlett’s podcast, *The Diary of a CEO*. He argued that Russian diesel exports have only a limited direct influence on fuel prices in the United States and dismissed Trump’s assertions as misinformation.

Zelenskyy also questioned why American companies continue to export energy to other countries if the US President is so concerned about domestic fuel prices. He suggested that the debate should also consider whether restrictions ought to be imposed on private-sector energy exports.

The Ukrainian President accused Trump of targeting Kyiv to divert attention from the crisis involving Iran. He said Ukraine was repeatedly being held responsible for wider problems and claimed that he was being personally singled out in his capacity as the country’s leader.

Zelenskyy identified disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as a central factor behind the current energy crisis. The strategic waterway is vital to global oil shipments, and any interruption to shipping or exports through the passage can place additional pressure on international energy markets.

Trump has repeatedly urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities, arguing that such operations threaten global fuel supplies and could drive prices higher. He has accused Zelenskyy of aggravating instability in energy markets and has said that negotiations with the Ukrainian leader have been more difficult than those with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has also suggested that Ukraine needs leadership that would not obstruct US-led efforts to mediate an end to the war.

According to the report, Washington temporarily eased certain restrictions affecting Russian diesel exports in an effort to relieve pressure on global fuel markets. Zelenskyy criticised the move, describing it as a weak policy decision.

Moscow, meanwhile, has reportedly agreed to increase diesel supplies to the United States and other international markets. The reported arrangements include an immediate supply of more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, a further 500,000 tonnes in November and additional volumes at later stages, subject to refinery production capacity.

Russia has argued that continued Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure are putting pressure on fuel supplies. Kyiv, however, maintains that its strikes against Russian facilities form part of its military strategy in the ongoing war.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also accused Zelenskyy of undermining efforts to ease the global diesel shortage. Moscow maintains that Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities could reduce fuel availability in international markets, while Kyiv has defended its operations as part of its campaign against Russia’s war effort.

Rising fuel costs have emerged as a significant domestic political issue for the Trump administration. The report said diesel prices exceeded $6.50 per gallon in some US markets in September, while prices in certain parts of California climbed above $8 per gallon.

With the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, rising fuel prices could add to the political pressure on the administration. Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified attacks on energy and other infrastructure inside Russia in recent months. Moscow has characterised these operations as terrorist acts and has continued strikes against Ukrainian military targets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar