DOONBEG: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to “stop knocking out diesel fuel” refineries in Russia because it was causing shortages and “hurting” other countries.

“Mr Zelensky has to do one thing,” Trump told reporters while on a visit to Ireland. “He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia.

“Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel. This isn’t done by the Middle East, this is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine.” Trump added he had spoken to Ukraine’s leader about the country’s stepped-up attacks on such sites over recent months.

“There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel because that’s hurting. That’s hurting the world. We don’t want him to hit diesel fuel… He’s hitting diesel refineries.” Ukraine has hit numerous Russian oil refineries hundreds of kilometres from its border with Russia, while Moscow has also intensified its long-range attacks in recent months, leading to a jump in civilian deaths.

Says strikes causing fuel shortages, hurting other countries

Kyiv has been firing record numbers of drones at Russia, while Moscow has been launching all-time high missile attacks.

With conflict again intensifying in the Middle East, oil prices have spiked, in turn raising American fuel costs and inflation.

That has prompted speculation that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates just as voters in the US prepare to vote in key midterm elections in November.

Sanctions on ex-press secretary

President Zelensky imposed sanctions on a former press secretary on Sunday, accusing her and nine others of spreading Russian propaganda and of supporting Russia’s aggressive policy toward Ukraine.

Yuliia Mendel, who worked with Zelensky from 2019 to 2021, responded with a message on Facebook saying it was unconstitutional to impose sanctions on Ukrainian citizens. She did not comment on the specific accusations.

Mendel has given interviews criticising Zelensky’s record since last year, when a number of members of the president’s inner circle became embroiled in corruption scandals. The suspects have denied the charges that have not been tested in court.

The sanctions announced by Zelensky in a decree would last for 10 years and included asset freezes and restrictions on trade, the document read.

They were an unusual measure to use against a former member of staff, though they have been used against political figures.

Last year, Ukraine imposed sanctions on former president and opposition politician Petro Poroshenko, including an asset freeze and a ban on withdrawing capital from the country, for what the domestic spy agency said were “national security” reasons.

Sunday’s order “imposes restrictions on 10 Russian and Ukrainian individuals who spread disinformation and “Russian propaganda and support Russia’s aggressive policy” toward Ukraine. “Yuliia Mendel is among those sanctioned,” the presidency said in a statement.

Mendel, Zelensky’s first press secretary after he became president, wrote on Facebook that she had been expecting the move.

“Sanctions against Ukrainian citizens are unconstitutional, as are many of Zelensky’s other decisions,” she added. “Volodymyr Zelensky is imposing them on anyone who advocates for peace in Ukraine.”

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2026