US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries and other sectors involved in diesel production and distribution. Trump cautioned that these strikes are exacerbating a worldwide fuel shortage. His comments came after diesel prices in the United States climbed to over $6 per gallon, marking a historic high. The President suggested that Ukraine should shift its focus away from targeting Russian diesel infrastructure, directing its efforts towards other military objectives instead.
Ukraine has intensified its assaults on Russia’s oil and gas sectors through long-range strikes, significantly disrupting refining activities and aggravating fuel shortages within Russia. In response, Moscow has limited diesel exports, contributing to a further tightening of supplies in the global market. The situation is compounded by interruptions in oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflicts involving Iran. The International Energy Agency noted that diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf nations in August dropped to just over 25% of their levels prior to the conflict.
Kyiv maintains that Russia’s energy sector plays a crucial role in funding its military operations against Ukraine. Consequently, Ukrainian forces have persisted in targeting Russian oil facilities, including refineries and storage locations. On the other hand, Russia has ramped up its offensive, launching attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Overnight raids struck Odesa and other regions, with Ukrainian officials reporting civilian casualties and damage to both residential and energy infrastructures.
In addition to these developments, both Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in extensive drone warfare over the weekend. Ukrainian strikes reportedly hit industrial zones in Russia, while Kyiv claimed that Russian drones targeted residential and strategic infrastructure. As the United States approaches the November midterm elections, the escalating fuel prices have become a pressing issue. Trump’s appeal for Ukraine to reduce its focus on Russian energy targets underscores the growing concern over the war’s impact on global fuel supplies.