President Donald Trump said Russia has lost control of its diesel industry following repeated Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries, as President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed reciprocal steps to halt strikes on energy infrastructure ahead of their planned meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump said Monday that numerous Russian refineries had been damaged and temporarily taken out of service, highlighting the mounting pressure on Moscow's energy sector as the war continues. His remarks came as Ukraine sought renewed diplomatic engagement with Washington over measures to reduce attacks on critical infrastructure.
"Russia has unfortunately lost control of its Diesel Oil Industry due to its War with Ukraine," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added that a "large number of their Diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission."
The president renewed his call for an end to the conflict, citing its continuing human cost. "The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame!" Trump wrote. The monthly death toll was his estimate rather than an independently verified figure.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian refineries and other energy facilities, seeking to disrupt fuel production and reduce revenue available to Moscow during the war. The attacks have damaged infrastructure that supports both Russia's domestic fuel market and its energy exports.
Zelensky responded to Trump's statement by reiterating Ukraine's willingness to pursue a negotiated reduction in hostilities, provided Russia stops attacking Ukrainian infrastructure. He said the two countries could take corresponding steps to limit strikes on energy facilities and other economically important targets.
"This Russian war against Ukraine and against common sense must be ended," Zelensky said.
"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," he added.
Zelensky said Ukraine would discuss those proposals with international partners during the General Assembly. "Solutions are possible. We are ready to work on this, and we will discuss it with our partners on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. I thank everyone who is helping! It will no longer be the case that only the country under attack suffers," he said.
The Ukrainian president also confirmed plans to meet Trump in New York, describing the forthcoming conversation as one that could "change a lot." Their meeting follows a September 20 telephone call and comes amid discussions about a possible pause in attacks on energy infrastructure and targets in the Black Sea.
The diplomatic effort is unfolding alongside additional American economic pressure on Moscow. Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law on September 18, expanding Washington's authority to target Russian energy operations, defense industries and vessels used to circumvent existing sanctions.
The legislation, named after the late Republican senator who championed tougher sanctions on Russia, also targets the country's shadow fleet. The network of tankers has been used to transport Russian oil while avoiding restrictions imposed by the Group of Seven and the European Union.
Whether Moscow will agree to reciprocal limits on infrastructure attacks remains uncertain. Russia has continued military operations against Ukraine, while Kyiv has maintained its campaign against Russian energy facilities.
The Kremlin's position is also shaped by Russia's domestic political landscape. President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party retained its commanding parliamentary majority following a three-day election conducted under tight political controls, giving the government continued legislative backing as the war enters another year.
