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U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after stepping off the Marine One presidential helicopter, which landed on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on the 15th local time. / AFP, Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump on the 15th local time criticized Ukraine for resuming attacks on Russian oil refineries, calling it a "disgrace" that keeps global energy prices high.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine was abandoning the halt on attacks against energy facilities between Russia and Ukraine recently announced by President Trump, and resumed airstrikes targeting Russian oil refineries on the 15th.

In response, when asked about Ukraine resuming attacks during an interview broadcast on Newsmax that day, President Trump answered, "If President Zelenskyy is striking refineries again, all he is doing is driving world oil prices higher."

He continued, "I think it is a disgrace," emphasizing, "There are plenty of other targets that can be hit."

He added, "If you attack refineries that produce diesel, at a time when we need diesel and the world needs diesel, that is not doing good for the world."

Relations between the U.S. and Ukraine have deteriorated after President Trump recently eased sanctions on the condition that Russia supply diesel to the global market on a large scale.

President Zelenskyy criticized the deal, noting it was interpreted as an attempt to curb surging fuel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections and arguing it helps Russia sustain its invasion of Ukraine.

President Trump reiterated his views to Newsmax on the two leaders of the warring nations.

He said, "I am not a big fan of President Zelenskyy," adding, "While both men seem to want to end the war, I find it harder to negotiate with President Zelenskyy than with Russian President Vladimir Putin."

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min