In response to escalating global fuel shortages, former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries and facilities that are key to diesel production and distribution. Trump’s plea comes as the United States faces a surge in average diesel prices, which have surpassed $6 per gallon, marking a historic high. He advised Ukraine to redirect its military focus away from Russian diesel infrastructure to mitigate the impact on global fuel supplies.
Ukraine has notably intensified its focus on Russia’s oil and gas sectors through long-range strikes, significantly affecting refining operations and exacerbating fuel shortages within Russia. Compounding the issue, Moscow has curbed diesel exports, further straining international markets. The broader global diesel shortage has also been influenced by disruptions in oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, a situation aggravated by recent conflicts involving Iran. Data from the International Energy Agency reveals that diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf nations in August dwindled to just over a quarter of their levels before the conflict.
While Kyiv maintains that Russia’s energy sector is a vital source of funding for its military activities in Ukraine, and thus continues its offensive on Russian oil facilities, including refineries and storage sites, Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Recent overnight strikes have hit Odesa and other Ukrainian regions, leading to reported casualties and significant damage to both civilian and energy infrastructures.
The hostilities have also extended to large-scale drone exchanges over the weekend, with both sides reporting strikes. Ukrainian forces targeted Russian industrial zones, while Russian drones reportedly hit residential and strategic infrastructures in Ukraine. These developments come as rising fuel prices become a pressing issue in the United States, especially with the November midterm elections approaching. Trump’s call for a reduction in attacks on Russian energy infrastructure underscores the growing anxiety over the conflict’s impact on global fuel supplies.