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Trump Blames Ukraine for Global Diesel Shortage
Confirmed
In Short: US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure, blaming them for a global fuel shortage.
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure, claiming they are responsible for a global fuel shortage that has driven up prices. Trump, speaking during a trip to the Republic of Ireland, said, 'Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing: he has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia.
The price of diesel in the U.S. hit an all-time high, reaching $6.06 a gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. Trump also noted that the increase in diesel prices 'isn’t done by the Middle East, this is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine and the conflict with Iran have both contributed to the global energy crisis, according to the International Energy Agency. A report published on September 11 highlighted how the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly on diesel supplies, is impacting the global market. Ukraine, which faces regular Russian attacks on its own energy infrastructure, considers these refineries legitimate military targets, as they fund Moscow's war efforts.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG Group, noted that while Ukraine's strikes are affecting Russia's key export industry, the real impact is currently on Russian civilians. Combined diesel exports from Russia and the Gulf in August were 1.6 million barrels a day lower than in February, according to the International Energy Agency.
What's confirmed
- United States President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure, saying they were to blame for a global fuel shortage that was driving up prices, and not the war with Iran.
- “Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing: he has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump said on Sunday, speaking to reporters during a trip to the Republic of Ireland.
- On Sunday, Trump said the increase in the price of diesel “isn’t done by the Middle East, this is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine”.
What's still developing
- Oil prices globally have gone up since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in February, disrupting the flow of oil from the region, including through the Strait of Hormuz, and causing a global energy crisis.
- While attending the Irish Open at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, Trump told reporters that he had spoken to Zelenskyy about the diesel concerns.
- “Our warriors continue responding justly to Russian strikes on Ukraine,” he wrote in an X post.
- Since the United States and Israel jointly launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28, diesel prices in the U.S. have gone up by about 55%.
- This summer, Ukraine has struck more than 20 refinery targets in Russia, something that Putin has conceded has caused economic pain.
- “There are plenty of other targets,” Trump continued.
- In addition, US midterm elections are approaching in November, heightening political pressure as rising fuel costs have become a liability for Trump’s Republicans: Diesel prices are now at a record high in the US.
- Ukraine has been pummelling Russian oil facilities for months, leading Russia to impose restrictions on its own fuel exports.