Amid rising diesel prices in the United States, President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and related facilities. Trump argues that these attacks on infrastructure critical to diesel production and distribution are exacerbating a global fuel shortage. The appeal comes as the average price of diesel in the U.S. has surged past $6 per gallon, setting a new record.
The conflict has seen Ukraine increasingly targeting Russia’s oil and gas sector with long-range attacks, significantly disrupting refining operations and contributing to fuel shortages within Russia itself. Compounding the issue, Moscow has limited its diesel exports, further straining supplies on the international market. Additionally, disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, amid tensions involving Iran, have intensified the diesel shortage. The International Energy Agency notes that diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf nations in August plummeted to just over a quarter of their levels before the conflict escalated.
Kyiv maintains that targeting Russia’s energy industry is crucial, as it serves as a financial backbone for Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. Despite the global fuel crisis, Ukrainian forces continue to focus on Russian oil facilities, including refineries and storage locations. In response, Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, with recent overnight strikes reported on Odesa and other regions, causing casualties and damaging civilian and energy facilities.
The situation has also seen an exchange of large-scale drone attacks between the two nations. Over the weekend, Russian officials reported Ukrainian strikes on industrial sites, while Ukraine accused Russian drones of hitting residential and strategic infrastructure. As the U.S. approaches the November midterm elections, the rising fuel prices have become a significant concern domestically. Trump’s call for a reduction in Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure underscores the growing anxiety over the war’s impact on global fuel supplies.