Trump Urges Zelensky to Refrain from Attacking Russian Oil Refineries

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to immediately cease attacks on diesel refineries located within Russia. Trump claimed that Ukrainian strikes have caused a severe global diesel shortage, negatively impacting the international economy. Amid the ongoing missile conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have persistently targeted Russian oil and gas infrastructure. As one of the world’s leading oil producers, Russia has experienced a significant decline in fuel production and refining capacity due to these Ukrainian attacks.

Speaking to journalists at an IRIS Open event, President Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to halt attacks on Russia’s main diesel production centers. He stated, “Zelensky needs to do one thing – stop destroying diesel fuel in Russia. There are plenty of other targets available for attacks.” Trump identified the Russia-Ukraine war as the primary cause of the global diesel shortage. In contrast, Ukraine asserts that Russia’s oil and gas sector forms the economic backbone of Moscow’s war effort, making it a necessary target for their national security.

Recently, Ukrainian forces successfully struck the major TANECO refinery in Tatarstan, Russia, an attack that resulted in two civilian casualties. In retaliation, Russia has intensified strikes on various Ukrainian fuel stations. Since April, at least 246 Ukrainian petrol stations have come under Russian fire. Meanwhile, U.S. diesel prices have reached record highs, climbing 65 percent since February to $6.20 per gallon.

Commenting on the objectives behind the Ukrainian assaults, analyst Chris Beauchamp noted, “For now, the main impact has been on ordinary civilians, as part of a strategy to increase internal pressure on the Russian president.” However, the global fuel crisis is attributed not only to Ukrainian attacks but also to U.S. military activity in the Middle East. Andreas Krieg, Senior Professor of Security Studies at King’s College London, remarked, “The Iran conflict delivers a major systemic shock to global diesel availability. The Ukrainian refinery campaign is an important pressure point, but it is an addition to the disruptions happening in the Gulf region.”