Donald Trump urged Ukraine's leader to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, claiming these attacks are causing shortages, not the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
On Sunday, 13 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Donald Trump, the U.S. president, criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Kyiv's attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump made these remarks while on an unofficial visit to the Republic of Ireland to watch a golf tournament and also promote his private business.
Trump spoke to reporters at his Doonbeg golf resort on Ireland's west coast, criticizing those who recently expressed concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) technology and called for more caution in its development. He labeled this group as having a "negative" mindset.
He then turned to criticize President Zelensky, stating that one thing the Ukrainian leader must do is “stop destroying diesel refineries” in Russia, as this causes shortages.
"Let him target other things, but not diesel refineries, because he is causing a diesel shortage," Trump said, asserting that the war between Russia and Ukraine is the root cause of the diesel shortage—not the Iran conflict, which he claimed to have instigated—leading to the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route for over six months.
Oil prices have risen sharply in recent weeks due to escalating attacks in the Middle East, pushing fuel costs and inflation higher in the U.S. This has fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve may raise benchmark interest rates before the U.S. midterm elections in November.
Trump's visit to Ireland was to watch the Irish Open golf tournament at his golf course. During the trip, he met with the Irish prime minister and made remarks that sparked political controversy in Ireland.
On Saturday, Trump surprised hosts in Ireland and neighboring the United Kingdom by declaring he "wants to see" Ireland and Northern Ireland united, a highly sensitive political issue that the U.S. has traditionally remained neutral on.
Trump's comments drew strong criticism from Northern Irish political parties supporting continued union with the UK, while tens of thousands protested in Dublin, Ireland's capital, expressing disapproval of the U.S. leader’s visit.
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Source:cna