American billionaire Elon Musk has backed Donald Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Ukrainian forces« strikes on Russian oil refineries. On social media platform X, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX commented on the US president’s video statement with the brief remark: »Zelenskyy has gone too far’. The day before, Trump had demanded that Ukraine cease its attacks on Russian oil refineries, stating that they were exacerbating the global diesel fuel shortage and driving up prices.
- Elon Musk backed Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy.
- The billionaire said that Zelenskyy had «gone too far».
- Trump is calling for an end to strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Musk backed Trump following a scathing remark about Zelenskyy
Elon Musk responded to a video posted on X account Rapid Response 47, which is circulating statements by the US President. In the recording Donald Trump criticises the Ukrainian leadership for continuing to carry out strikes against Russian oil refineries.
«Zelenskyy has gone too far,» wrote Musk.
The billionaire did not go into detail about his position. However, his comment under Trump’s video indicated his support for the criticism of the Ukrainian president in the dispute over the attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
This statement came against the backdrop of a deterioration in relations between Kyiv and Washington over a new energy the US agreement with Russia.
Trump has demanded that Ukraine cease its attacks on Russian oil refineries
On 10 October, Donald Trump told journalists that he had previously personally warned Zelenskyy that strikes against Russian oil refineries were unacceptable.
According to the US President, damage to such facilities affects not only the Russian economy but also international supplies of diesel fuel.
«We told Zelenskyy: you can do whatever you like with Russia, but don’t target the oil refineries, because that’s a global issue,» Trump said.
The US leader expressed his dissatisfaction that Ukraine had continued its attacks despite his requests. He also emphasised that disruptions to diesel supplies were having a negative impact on American farmers, hauliers and industry.
Trump demanded an immediate halt to strikes on Russian oil refineries. At the same time, his assertion that Ukraine is responsible for the global diesel shortage reflects the US President’s position: the global fuel market is also affected by the war in the Middle East, disruptions to international logistics and constraints on oil refining capacity.
The US has reached an agreement with Russia on diesel and eased sanctions
On 9 October, Trump announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin regarding the supply of Russian diesel fuel to the US and global markets.
The announced plan envisages several phases of deliveries, with a total potential volume of over 4.8 million tonnes. To facilitate these operations, the US Department of the Treasury has issued General Licence No. 135, which temporarily authorises certain transactions involving diesel fuel of Russian origin.
The authorisation does not mean the complete lifting of sanctions against Russia, but it does open up further opportunities for international trade in Russian petroleum products.
Washington’s decision has drawn criticism in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Moscow could use the additional revenue from fuel exports to purchase components for missiles, manufacture attack drones and prolong the war.
Ukraine is insisting on a mutual cessation of attacks on the energy sector
Kyiv is proposing a different approach to de-escalation in the energy sector. The Ukrainian side has stated its readiness to cease strikes on Russian oil refineries and oil facilities, provided that Moscow refrains from attacking Ukrainian power stations, substations and other energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy stresses that a unilateral cessation of Ukrainian strikes, without corresponding commitments from Russia, will not ensure the protection of Ukrainian cities.
Meanwhile, Russian troops continue to launch attacks across Ukraine. On 10 October, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and other regions came under fresh attacks.
Elon Musk’s public comment thus served as yet another example of the contradictions surrounding Washington’s energy policy. The Trump administration is seeking to increase global diesel supplies, whilst Ukraine insists on restricting Russian oil revenues as one of the tools for deterring aggression.
