Former President Donald Trump declared that Russia has lost control of its diesel industry due to Ukrainian attacks, contributing to a global diesel shortage. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that a significant number of Russian diesel refineries have been destroyed and are temporarily out of commission.
Trump also called for an end to the war in Ukraine, claiming that approximately 25,000 people, predominantly soldiers, are being killed each month.
This statement followed a Sunday phone call in which Trump reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to halt Kyiv's strikes on Russian refineries. A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that Trump's message focused on the issue of diesel supply, with a second official adding that Trump desired Russian fuel to re-enter the global market to lower prices.
Last week, Trump had asserted that Moscow and Kyiv had reached an agreement to cease attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. He attributed the global spike in diesel prices to the Ukraine war, rather than his own conflict with Iran.
US diesel prices reached a record high of $6.51 on Monday, according to AAA, a significant increase from approximately $3.76 before the conflict. This surge in fuel costs presents a challenge for Republicans in the lead-up to crucial midterm elections. Economists have expressed concern over the diesel shortage, highlighting its importance in powering trucks, trains, and farm machinery essential for the economy.
