In light of escalating fuel prices in the United States, former President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and facilities involved in diesel production and distribution. Trump emphasized that these strikes are exacerbating the global fuel shortage, as diesel prices in the U.S. have surpassed $6 per gallon, setting a new record. He recommended that Ukraine focus its military efforts on other targets instead of Russian diesel infrastructure.
Ukraine has increased its attacks on Russia’s oil and gas sector with long-range strikes, disrupting refining activities and contributing to fuel shortages within Russia. The situation has been compounded by Moscow’s decision to limit diesel exports, which has further strained supplies on international markets. The International Energy Agency noted that disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, due to a conflict involving Iran, have also exacerbated the global diesel shortage. In August, diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf countries fell to just over a quarter of their levels before the conflict began.
Kyiv maintains that Russia’s energy sector is a key source of funding for its military operations in Ukraine. Consequently, Ukrainian forces have persisted in targeting Russian oil installations, including refineries and storage facilities. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its military actions against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, with recent overnight strikes affecting Odesa and other regions, resulting in reported casualties and damage to civilian and energy structures.
The conflict has also seen an exchange of large-scale drone attacks over the weekend, with Russian officials reporting Ukrainian strikes on industrial zones, while Kyiv indicated that Russian drones targeted residential and strategic sites. The rising fuel prices are becoming a critical issue in the United States as the November midterm elections approach. Trump’s appeal for Ukraine to curtail its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure underscores growing concerns about the war’s impact on global fuel supplies.