US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt assaults on Russian oil refineries and facilities involved in diesel production and distribution, citing concerns about a global fuel shortage. Trump’s statement comes in the wake of US diesel prices surpassing $6 per gallon, marking a historic high. He suggested that Ukraine should focus its military efforts elsewhere and refrain from targeting Russian diesel infrastructure.
Ukraine has been intensifying its offensive against Russia’s oil and gas sector through long-range strikes, which have disrupted refining activities and contributed to fuel scarcities within Russia. Compounding the issue, Moscow has implemented restrictions on diesel exports, further tightening global supply chains. The situation is exacerbated by disruptions in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, linked to a conflict involving Iran. The International Energy Agency reports that diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf nations in August have dwindled to just a quarter of their levels before the conflict.
Kyiv maintains that Russia’s energy sector is a significant source of funding for its military operations in Ukraine, which is why Ukrainian forces have continued to target Russian oil infrastructures, including refineries and storage facilities. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its military operations against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Overnight strikes have hit Odesa and several other regions in Ukraine, resulting in casualties and damaging civilian and energy infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials.
Over the weekend, both Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in substantial drone warfare. Russian authorities reported Ukrainian strikes on industrial zones, while Kyiv claimed that Russian drones attacked residential and strategic targets. The surge in fuel prices has become a pressing issue in the United States as the nation approaches the November midterm elections. Trump’s appeal to Ukraine to minimize attacks on Russian energy resources underscores the growing concern over the war’s impact on global fuel availability.