In response to surging diesel prices in the United States, President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and related facilities. Trump emphasized that these strikes are exacerbating a global fuel shortage, as the average diesel prices in the U.S. have soared past $6 per gallon, marking an unprecedented high. He advocated for Ukraine to direct its military operations towards other targets, steering clear of Russian diesel infrastructure.
Ukraine has intensified its focus on Russia’s oil and gas sector through long-range strikes, a campaign that has disrupted refining operations and contributed to internal fuel shortages within Russia. In parallel, Russia has limited its diesel exports, further tightening the global supply. This situation has been compounded by disturbances in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict involving Iran, with the International Energy Agency reporting that diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf countries in August plummeted to just over a quarter of their levels before the conflict.
Kyiv maintains that Russia’s energy industry plays a critical role in funding its military efforts in Ukraine. Consequently, Ukrainian forces have persisted in targeting Russian oil infrastructure, including refineries and storage sites. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its assault on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, with recent overnight strikes hitting Odesa and other regions, causing casualties and damaging both civilian and energy infrastructures.
The conflict saw both nations engaging in large-scale drone attacks over the past weekend. Russian officials reported Ukrainian strikes on industrial zones, while Kyiv reported that Russian drones targeted residential and strategic sites. These developments come at a pivotal time, as rising fuel prices have become a significant concern in the United States, particularly with the midterm elections looming in November. Trump’s appeal for Ukraine to minimize attacks on Russian energy infrastructure underscores the growing anxiety about the conflict’s impact on global fuel supplies.