Former U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine Advises Kyiv To Burn Down Russian Oil Refineries
- 13.10.2026, 9:07
Kit Kellogg called on people to ignore the U.S. president's threats.
Former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, disagrees with the view that the balance of power in the war between Russia and Ukraine is shifting in Moscow’s favor, particularly due to a diesel deal signed with the U.S. He stated this in an interview “Deutsche Welle” on Monday, October 12, on the sidelines of a security conference in Warsaw, advising the Ukrainian military, despite threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, continue to destroy Russian oil refineries.
Kellogg explained his position by noting that, in the case of the “diesel agreement,” he believes the deal involves the supply of extremely small volumes of fuel. “This deal is largely driven by domestic factors in the U.S. and is intended to show that some action is being taken,” the American general explained.
He also does not support the idea that the White House chief “betrayed Ukraine.” In his view, those in Europe who think so are mistaken. When asked about this, General Kellogg responded with a rhetorical question of his own: “Why does Europe still purchase 3% of its oil from Russia? Why does 15% of its liquefied natural gas still come from Russia? Does that mean you, too, have betrayed Ukraine?”
Trump’s former special representative for Ukraine acknowledged that Kyiv could lose the war if the situation does not change. “But we can’t just stand by. We can’t give up,” he insisted. “That’s exactly what Putin is aiming for: for you to throw in the towel. We must not let him have his way.”
At the same time, Keith Kellogg praised the actions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which, in his view, are forcing Russia to pay an ever-higher price for its actions.
When asked how Kyiv should respond to Donald Trump’s calls for Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to strike oil refineries in Russia, the American general replied succinctly: “Burn the refineries.”