US billionaire Elon Musk has backed President Donald Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing the Ukrainian leader of going too far by continuing attacks on Russian oil refineries despite warnings from Washington.
“Zelensky has gone too far,” Musk wrote on his social media platform X, responding to footage of Trump condemning Ukraine’s continued strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
The Tesla and SpaceX chief offered no further explanation, but his intervention comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries and their impact on global diesel supplies.
Trump has repeatedly urged Ukraine to halt the strikes, arguing that damage to Russian refining capacity is contributing to worldwide fuel shortages and rising prices that are affecting American farmers, transportation companies and manufacturers.
The US president said he had personally warned Zelensky against targeting the facilities, stressing that disruptions to diesel production carried consequences beyond Russia.
Trump has also escalated his criticism of Zelensky’s leadership, suggesting Ukraine should elect a new president as relations between the two governments deteriorate.
The dispute intensified after Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at increasing Russian diesel supplies to international markets.
On October 9, the US Treasury Department issued General License 135, temporarily authorising transactions involving the sale, delivery and importation of Russian-origin diesel, including shipments to the United States.
The authorisation runs until April 7, 2027, but does not amount to a complete lifting of American sanctions against Moscow.
Washington’s decision has drawn criticism from Ukraine, which argues that allowing additional Russian energy exports could generate revenue for Moscow’s military campaign.
Zelensky has warned that increased Russian oil earnings could help finance missile production, attack drones and other weapons used against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Kyiv maintains that its strikes on Russian energy facilities are intended to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance and sustain its military operations.
The Ukrainian president has offered to suspend attacks on Russian refineries if Moscow reciprocates by ending strikes against Ukrainian power stations, electrical substations and other critical energy facilities.
Speaking on Sunday, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine was prepared for a reciprocal energy ceasefire but rejected the prospect of a unilateral halt to its operations.
The disagreement has complicated Trump’s announcement of an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv saying it had not received sufficient details and reporting continued Russian attacks.
Musk’s intervention adds another prominent American voice to the pressure on Zelensky, as Washington increasingly prioritises stabilising global fuel markets while Kyiv insists that restrictions on its military operations must be matched by equivalent commitments from Moscow.
