Trump Urges Zelenskyy to Halt Strikes on Russian Diesel Plants as US Prices Hit Record

US President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop attacking Russian diesel facilities during a visit to Ireland on September 13. Speaking to reporters at his Doonbeg golf club, Trump said the strikes have cut fuel production and created a global shortage that is hurting consumers worldwide.

US diesel prices reached a record average above $6 per gallon on Friday, adding pressure on voters ahead of November mid-term elections. Ukraine has targeted Russian oil refineries for months with long-range drones, prompting Moscow to ban diesel exports in July and ration fuel domestically.

“Mr Zelenskyy has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia. Don't hit diesel fuel, because that's hurting, that's hurting the world.”

The International Energy Agency reported that Gulf diesel and gasoil exports in August fell to just over a quarter of their level before the Iran war began in February. Combined Gulf and Russian exports previously accounted for nearly 45 percent of global seaborne trade in those products.

Analyst Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates estimates the Russian export ban removed about 800,000 barrels per day of diesel from the market, while the Strait of Hormuz closure linked to the Iran war affected roughly 1.2 million barrels per day.

Trump's appeal marks a reversal from October 2025, when US officials reportedly expanded intelligence sharing to help Ukraine strike Russian energy infrastructure. At that time, international oil prices were notably lower. Kyiv maintains that Russian refineries are legitimate military targets because they fund and fuel Moscow's invasion.