President Donald Trump called upon Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian refineries, citing a diesel shortage. While attending the Irish Open at his golf course, Trump spoke to reporters about his interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and emphasized the need for Zelenskyy to focus on different targets.
“Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump stated. “Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel fuel.”
Recent Ukrainian strikes have aimed at Russia’s oil and gas industry, which funds and supports the war efforts against Ukraine. These comments arrive as both nations continue extensive drone attacks.
Two fatalities occurred in Tatarstan, Russia, due to Ukrainian drone strikes, regional officials reported. At the same time, Ukraine faced Russian drone attacks on Odesa’s port and close to the Poland border, causing a blaze.
Russia’s offensive has intensified, focusing on Ukraine’s power infrastructure to weaken civilian morale before winter. In Odesa, multiple buildings and utilities suffered damage due to Russian strikes.
In Tatarstan, local authorities confirmed two deaths and injuries to 14 people. Ukrainian drones hit Nizhnekamsk, which houses significant oil and petrochemical facilities. A mayor reported a fire but did not disclose further incident details.
The Ukrainian drone strategy has led to fuel rationing in Russia, a major oil and gas exporter. Strikes also impacted major Russian online retailers, drawing closer to the public.
Ukraine claimed an attack on an oil refinery in Sloviansk-on-Kuban, Krasnodar, near Crimea, resulting in a significant blaze. Krasnodar officials reported injuries and damage to an oil pipeline but did not acknowledge Ukraine’s claim.
Russia’s defense ministry announced shooting down 389 Ukrainian drones, including in Tatarstan and Crimea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed openness to peace talks in the fall, including Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., hinting at October negotiations.
U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff recently engaged in talks with Putin in Moscow and later with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Despite diplomatic efforts, territorial disputes remain a significant divide between Moscow and Kyiv.
Kushner, related to Trump through marriage, commented on territorial issues as a primary contention point, highlighting challenges in finding a resolution that respects Ukraine’s objectives while persuading Russia to cease conflict.