U.S. President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes targeting Russian diesel facilities, stating that these attacks are contributing to a global shortage of the fuel and driving up prices. Trump made these remarks on Sunday while attending the Irish Open golf tournament in Doonbeg, Ireland, as part of a two-day visit that included both high-level meetings and personal leisure.
Trump asserted that Zelenskyy "has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia" and suggested that Ukraine has "plenty of other targets" to strike. He characterized Kyiv's strategy of targeting Moscow's oil and gas reserves as "hurting the world." His comments followed reports that U.S. national average diesel prices had hit a record high, soaring past $6 a gallon on average by Friday.
While Trump attributed the spiraling energy prices primarily to Ukraine's war efforts, other experts have pointed to the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial waterway through which 20% of the world's oil typically flows—as the main culprits. Diesel prices have reportedly increased more than 60% since the conflict involving Iran began. Ukraine has been conducting long-distance drone attacks on Russian diesel infrastructure for months as part of its counteroffensive operations.
Trump's statements came as Russia and Ukraine continued to escalate drone strikes, hitting refineries, ports, and border crossings, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to Ukraine’s power grid. This escalation occurred even as the Kremlin indicated that peace talks with Washington and Kyiv could potentially resume in the autumn.
