Follow Us on Google
US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel facilities, arguing that the attacks are contributing to global fuel shortages and higher prices.
Trump made the comments on Sunday while speaking to reporters during a visit to the Republic of Ireland, where he called on Ukraine to consider other targets in its ongoing war with Russia.
“Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing: he has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump said. “We spoke to Mr Zelenskyy about it. There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel. That’s hurting the world.”
Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure in recent months. The strikes have disrupted fuel production and contributed to petrol shortages in parts of Russia.
Kyiv has defended the attacks, arguing that Russian refineries and oil facilities are legitimate military targets because the country’s energy sector generates revenue that supports Moscow’s war effort.
Trump’s warning comes as fuel prices in the United States continue to rise, creating additional economic pressure ahead of the November midterm elections.
The American Automobile Association said the national average price of diesel reached a record $6.06 per gallon on Friday, compared with $3.71 per gallon during the same period a year earlier.
Diesel prices have a significant impact on the wider economy because the fuel is heavily used by trucks, trains and ships to transport goods. Higher transport costs can subsequently increase prices for consumers.
Other News
Trump rejected the suggestion that the conflict in the Middle East was mainly responsible for the surge in diesel prices, instead pointing to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“This isn’t done by the Middle East, this is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine,” he said.
However, global oil markets have also been affected by the conflict involving Iran, with disruptions to regional supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz contributing to higher crude prices.
Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel last week for the first time since July, reaching about $109 per barrel at one point.
The International Energy Agency has said both the Iran conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war are putting pressure on global diesel supplies.
In its September 11 monthly report, the agency said disruptions linked to the Iran conflict were complicating efforts to restore normal oil flows through the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
It also pointed to intensified Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s refining infrastructure as another factor affecting diesel availability, noting that disruptions to Russian refining and a near-halt in product exports had compounded the supply losses.
