Trump to Push Zelenskyy Toward Energy Truce as Russia Loses Grip on Oil

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept an energy truce with Russia during a meeting in New York on Tuesday. Trump says Moscow has “unfortunately lost control” of its diesel oil industry because of the war.

The two leaders are set to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Their encounter will be a rare meeting at a major international event as the conflict continues after more than 4½ years.

Their planned discussions include further air defense support for Kyiv ahead of winter, Ukrainian drone attacks against Russian oil refineries and efforts to end the war. Energy infrastructure is emerging as a central issue for both governments.

In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump said numerous Russian diesel oil refineries had been destroyed and were temporarily out of service. He did not provide additional details about the facilities or the extent of the damage.

“This ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended. The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame!” Trump said.

A spokesperson for the Russian embassy in London was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC. Moscow therefore offered no immediate response to Trump’s assessment of the Russian diesel oil industry.

Trump has previously urged Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian oil refineries with drones. He has said the strikes are “hurting the world” while disruptions linked to the wars in Ukraine and Iran drive U.S. diesel prices to record levels.

U.S. retail diesel prices have risen above $6.50 per gallon for the first time, according to the latest AAA figures. Global fuel supplies moving through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz have also been curtailed by the Iran war.

Ukraine maintains that Russian energy facilities are legitimate military targets as it continues resisting Russian forces that invaded the country in early 2022. Kyiv’s position places refinery attacks among the military measures it considers justified during the conflict.

Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, has said it is preparing “massive strikes” against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. That warning has intensified fears that Ukrainian energy facilities could face another assault during the winter.

Zelenskyy said on Monday that his government remained in discussions with the Trump administration. He said ideas were “on the table for bringing peace closer, starting with strong de-escalation steps.”

The Ukrainian president also outlined the conditions he believes could produce reciprocal action from Kyiv. He called for an end to Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy assets, critical infrastructure and food exports.

“Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and our food exports must stop being targets for Russia, and this will lead to matching de-escalation steps on our part. Solutions are possible.”

Zelenskyy arrived in New York on Monday evening and met French President Emmanuel Macron. He said Kyiv was prepared to work with its partners during meetings held alongside the United Nations General Assembly this week.

Ukraine on Sunday launched what was thought to have been its largest drone attack on the Moscow region to date. The assault damaged a facility at an oil refinery on the outskirts of the city and killed three people.

The attack occurred on the final day of voting in Russia’s tightly controlled State Duma election. Near complete official results released Monday showed that the ruling United Russia party, supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, won a record number of seats in the national parliament.