United States President Donald Trump has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease drone attacks on Russian diesel refineries, arguing that these strikes are the primary driver of a global fuel shortage and soaring prices. Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, Trump insisted that the cost increases are not the result of the war with Iran, but rather the damage inflicted on Russian energy infrastructure.
“Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing: he has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump said. “There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel. That’s hurting the world.”
The appeal comes as the US prepares for midterm elections in November, with American consumers feeling the strain of record-high fuel costs. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price for diesel reached $6.06 per gallon last Friday, an all-time high. This represents a sharp increase from $3.71 per gallon a year ago. Diesel is critical for the transportation sector, powering ships, trains, and trucks that move international goods, meaning higher fuel costs are being passed on to consumers.
Ukraine has conducted a series of long-distance drone campaigns against Russian oil refineries in recent months, significantly reducing the country’s fuel production capacity and triggering domestic petrol shortages. Kyiv maintains that refineries are legitimate military targets, noting that Russia’s oil industry directly funds and fuels its invasion, which has now lasted more than four years. Ukraine itself suffers regular Russian attacks on its own energy grid.
Global energy markets have been further destabilized by the conflict between the US and Iran, which began in February. The war has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil passes during peacetime. Brent crude prices recently exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time since July, spiking as high as $109 at one point.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) acknowledged in a September 11 report that both conflicts are impacting diesel supplies. While the agency noted that the US-Iran war is hindering the normalization of flow through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, it emphasized that the Russia-Ukraine war is a significant factor. “The disruptions to Russia’s refining system and a near-halt to product exports following intensified Ukrainian attacks have compounded these losses,” the IEA stated.
Six dollars for diesel? No wonder people are angry. It’s wild that geopolitical decisions here feel so disconnected from everyday costs.
Interesting how Trump prioritizes short-term prices over strategic victories. Kyiv’s refinery campaign has genuinely hurt Russia’s war effort.
I get it, gas prices are painful. But calling Ukrainian self-defense strikes the primary cause feels like a stretch to me.
This takes serious ignoring of reality. Multiple energy experts confirm the Iran conflict is the main driver, not Ukrainian drones.