Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian refineries despite pressure from Donald Trump, the „Guardian” reported on Sunday, 1 November. Kremlin officials say Kyiv is „simply ignoring” US wishes.
According to the „Guardian”, attacks hit two oil facilities in Russia. The paper points to the timing: just days before the US midterm elections. Russian officials cited by the British daily claim Ukraine is disregarding Washington’s position. As of publication, we have not found an official statement from Kyiv or the Russian Ministry of Defence about these specific strikes.
Background: Kyiv’s dispute with Trump
As we reported in mid-October, the „WSJ” wrote that Volodymyr Zelensky was open to a 100-day pause in attacks on refineries in exchange for Starlink data; Kyiv did not confirm this. A few days later, Trump said it was time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.
According to PBS on 15 October, Trump reached an agreement with Vladimir Putin on imports of Russian diesel. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Ukraine’s attacks on refineries a „direct and insolent challenge” to the US president. The Kremlin argued at the time that Ukraine had never stopped the strikes, while Kyiv maintained that it was observing the energy sector ceasefire.
What next
As of publication, there is no confirmed reaction from Trump to the new reports. The extent of the damage at both facilities is not known.
What it means
Attacks on refineries affect Russian fuel production and exports, and therefore indirectly the diesel market in Europe. For Poland, it also matters whether Kyiv’s dispute with Washington will hamper efforts to agree on ending the war.
