Politics · India Bureau
Trump urges Zelenskyy to stop Ukraine strikes on Russian oil refineries
US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, citing concerns over global diesel shortages and rising fuel prices. The appeal comes as American diesel costs have surged to record levels ahead of mid-term elections.
LSN India ·
President Trump on Sunday pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease strikes against Russian oil refineries and fuel distribution infrastructure, warning that the attacks are exacerbating a worldwide energy shortage. The remarks follow diesel prices in the United States reaching unprecedented levels, with pump prices exceeding USD 6 per gallon on average last Friday.
Ukraine has conducted sustained long-range operations against Russia's petroleum and natural gas sector for several months, forcing widespread fuel rationing across Russian territory. Moscow responded by implementing an export ban on diesel in July, removing significant supplies from an already constrained global market and reducing international availability.
The global fuel crisis has been compounded by geopolitical tensions affecting Middle Eastern oil shipments. Disruptions to crude oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz have further strained worldwide energy supplies, pushing prices upward across multiple markets.
With mid-term elections scheduled for November, rising energy costs have emerged as a significant concern for American voters. Trump made his appeal to Zelenskyy following recent communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to statements made during a media interaction on Sunday.