President Donald Trump has issued a direct directive to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging Kyiv to cease military strikes against Russian diesel refineries. The comments were made on Sunday while the U.S. president was attending the Irish Open at his golf club in Doonbeg, Ireland. Trump stated that these specific attacks are exacerbating a global fuel shortage and negatively impacting energy markets worldwide.
Direct Communication with Kyiv
Trump revealed that he had already spoken directly with Zelenskyy regarding this issue following a recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," Trump told reporters gathered at the golf course. The president emphasized that while Ukraine may continue pursuing other targets inside Russia, it must steer clear of the country's diesel infrastructure, a story we covered in Trump Urges Ukraine To Halt Diesel Strikes Citing Global Shortage Risks.
"Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel because he's causing a shortage of diesel... This isn't done by the Middle East. This is done by what's happening with Russia and Ukraine," Trump said.
Impact on Global Markets
The U.S. president argued that the disruption to Russian fuel supplies is having tangible effects beyond the battlefield, specifically citing a strain on global diesel availability. The remarks come as Moscow has intensified aerial attacks using ballistic missiles and drones in recent weeks. In response, Ukraine has continued targeting oil and gas infrastructure within Russia, an effort aimed at hampering revenue sources for Moscow's war effort.
These strikes have reportedly pressured Russia’s fuel supplies, leading to rationing in parts of the country and a Russian ban on diesel exports enacted in July. The disruption has added pressure to global diesel supplies, which are already facing strain from reduced oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, diesel prices in the United States climbed above an average of $6 per gallon recently, reaching record highs, a story we covered in Zelensky Warns Wartime Elections Would Destroy Ukraine.
Ongoing Conflict Dynamics
Despite calls for a halt to specific infrastructure strikes, military activity remains intense on both sides. Russian and Ukrainian officials reported another round of large-scale drone attacks overnight into Sunday, with casualties confirmed on both fronts. The conflict marks more than four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
