As US diesel prices rise ahead of midterm elections, Trump orders Zelensky to stop targeting Russian refineries

Washington: The United States has asked Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries and diesel plants because the strikes are worsening fuel shortages, even as its own military operations in Iran have damaged civilian and oil infrastructure and disrupted energy supplies.

US President Donald Trump made the announcement on Sunday (September 13) as US diesel prices topped $6 per gallon for the first time. The record price comes ahead of the U.S. midterm congressional elections in November as high fuel costs make it difficult for households to manage expenses.

Trump spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the Irish Open at his Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland. He was asked if he had spoken with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky after recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said Zelensky must stop attacks on Russian diesel fuel supplies. “Mr Zelensky must do one thing. He must stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” he said.

The US President added: “We talked about this with Mr. Zelensky. There are many other purposes. Don’t hit diesel because it’s harmful, it’s harmful to the world.”

Ukraine has been carrying out long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, oil depots and other energy facilities for several months now. Kyiv says the Russian energy industry is providing money and materials for the military operation in Ukraine.

The attacks reached targets hundreds of kilometers from the border with Ukraine. This operation affected fuel supplies in several regions of Russia and contributed to fuel rationing. Moscow suspended diesel exports in July as supply conditions on the domestic market tightened.

Russia responded with large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The latest firefight again resulted in civilian deaths and damage to buildings and other facilities.

Local officials said two people were killed in Tatarstan in overnight drone attacks. Ukrainian authorities also reported Russian drone strikes on the Black Sea port of Odessa, as well as a fire near the border crossing with Poland.

According to CBS News, Ukrainian drone strikes have contributed to fuel rationing in Russia, despite Moscow being one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers. Ukrainian forces have also conducted operations against major Russian online retail platforms.

The fuel market faces another major shock caused by the war involving Iran. Oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz have been seriously affected. This creates problems for the movement of crude oil and petroleum products.

An International Energy Agency report released on Friday (September 11) said net exports of diesel and related fuels from Gulf countries in August fell to “just over a quarter” of the levels recorded before the war with Iran broke out in February.

The IEA said: “Disruptions in the Russian oil refining system and a near-total halt in product exports following the intensification of Ukrainian attacks have exacerbated these losses.”

The agency said combined net exports from the Gulf countries and Russia in February accounted for nearly 45 percent of global maritime trade in those fuel categories.

This situation has exacerbated the difficulties faced by countries dependent on imports of diesel and other refined fuels. Higher international prices have also impacted transport and production costs.