Kiev ‘ignoring’ Trump – Kremlin

Ukraine would be unlikely to defy Washington without continued European support, presidential aide Yury Ushakov has said Ukraine, emboldened by continued European support, is ignoring US President Donald Trump’s calls to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has said. Three Russian oil refineries and a gas chemical complex were targeted in overnight attacks on Friday, according to Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak. Commenting on the latest attacks, Ushakov told journalist Pavel Zarubin that Kiev had once again defied Trump. “I would even say they are simply ignoring him,” he added. According to Novak, one of the targeted facilities sustained minor damage, but Russian air defenses largely repelled the attacks.

Samara Region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said on Friday that two people involved in dealing with the aftermath of the drone strikes had been killed, while several others were injured. Trump has repeatedly demanded that Kiev stop targeting Russian oil refineries, accusing it of worsening the global fuel crisis and driving up prices for American consumers and farmers – a sensitive issue ahead of the November 3 US midterms. Vladimir Zelensky rejected the criticism, calling Trump’s claims “totally false. ” Ushakov suggested that Kiev was emboldened by continued European support. “ They would hardly have dared to do this on their own ,” he said. No seat for Europe at Ukraine peace talks – Kremlin “Trump has been persistent on this issue and continues to be, but they are not listening,” Ushakov said. The aide noted that trilateral talks are being planned under US mediation, which he described as crucial to resolving the conflict. Moscow agreed in principle to a fourth round of trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine following last…