President Donald Trump stated on social media Monday that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to stop hitting each other's energy targets, in a bid to address record-high US diesel prices. The announcement came the same day US diesel fuel prices reached a new record of $6.23 per gallon.
Trump attributed the price surge primarily to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rather than actions by Iran. He specifically called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cease striking Russian oil facilities, suggesting that such actions were creating a diesel shortage. "Mr Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," Trump wrote. "Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he's causing a shortage of diesel fuel."
The impending midterm elections, with approximately 50 days remaining, have brought voter concerns about inflation, the economy, and wages to the forefront, prompting the president to frame the fuel price increases as a European issue.
President Zelensky responded shortly after Trump's announcement, expressing skepticism about Russia's adherence to any agreement. "Ukraine has proposed to its partners to secure such an agreement with Russia that would halt the destruction of critical infrastructure," Zelensky stated, adding that Ukraine "is not confident that Russia has any intention of adhering to any agreement." He indicated that Ukraine would reciprocate such a halt if partners could ensure Russia's genuine commitment to refraining from striking Ukrainian energy facilities, infrastructure, or food supply routes.
Ukraine has maintained that energy sites within Russia are legitimate military targets, arguing that oil exports fund the war effort. Following strikes on two Russian oil facilities last week, Zelensky remarked that Moscow uses its oil profits "to finance the war and the killing of Ukrainians."
Russia's reaction to Trump's claim was more positive. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, described Trump's call for Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian energy sites as an endorsement of "peaceful economic infrastructure."
This is not the first time Trump has attempted to broker a ceasefire between the two nations. In May, he facilitated a brief three-day ceasefire for Russia's Victory Day celebrations, though hostilities resumed immediately after the period expired.
Russia, facing damage to its refineries, has banned diesel fuel exports, further tightening the global oil supply. The country is the world's second-largest diesel exporter after the United States, meaning supply disruptions there significantly impact global oil markets. Russia has not yet independently confirmed its agreement to Trump's proposed halt in strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.