Amid rising diesel prices in the United States, President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries and related facilities. Trump highlighted that these strikes are exacerbating a global fuel shortage, with average diesel prices in the U.S. surpassing $6 per gallon, marking a historical high. He suggested that Ukraine focus its military efforts on other targets instead of Russia’s diesel infrastructure.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted the Russian oil and gas sector with long-range attacks, impacting refining operations and contributing to fuel shortages within Russia. Concurrently, Moscow’s decision to limit diesel exports has further strained international markets. Compounding the crisis are disruptions in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing conflicts involving Iran. The International Energy Agency reported that diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf countries in August dropped to just over a quarter of their levels prior to the conflict.
Kyiv maintains that Russia’s energy sector plays a crucial role in funding its military actions against Ukraine. As such, Ukrainian forces continue to launch strikes on Russian oil facilities, including refineries and storage sites. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, with recent overnight strikes hitting Odesa and other regions, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian and energy infrastructure.
The conflict has also seen a surge in drone attacks over the weekend, with both sides engaging in large-scale operations. Ukrainian forces targeted Russian industrial areas, while Russian drones struck residential and strategic locations in Ukraine. These developments are unfolding as the U.S. approaches the November midterm elections, with fuel prices becoming an increasingly prominent issue. Trump’s appeal for Ukraine to curb its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure underscores growing concerns over the war’s repercussions on global fuel supplies.