Former President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Russia has lost control of its diesel industry due to Ukrainian attacks on its refineries, linking this to the current global diesel price surge. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that a significant number of Russian diesel refineries have been destroyed and are temporarily out of operation.
"This ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended," he wrote, asserting that approximately 25,000 people, primarily soldiers, are killed monthly in the conflict.
According to the Financial Times, Trump had urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a phone call on Sunday to cease strikes on Russian energy facilities. A senior Ukrainian official described the president's message as focused on "diesel, diesel . . . diesel," with a second official indicating Trump's desire to see Russian fuel return to the global market to lower prices.
Last week, Trump had previously claimed that Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to halt attacks on each other's energy sites. However, Ukrainian officials denied the existence of such a truce.
Impact on Global Fuel Prices
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 price hike is attributed by some to the conflict with Iran, which has impacted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supply. The rising diesel costs present a challenge for Republicans in the weeks leading up to midterm elections, as diesel powers essential transportation and agricultural machinery.
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Refineries
The reports of Trump's call with Zelensky emerged after Ukraine launched what Russian officials described as its largest drone attack on Moscow to date. The attack set a major oil refinery ablaze, with Russian authorities reporting the downing of 450 drones.
Kyiv's drone attacks have increasingly targeted distillation towers within Russian refineries, which are complex and time-consuming to repair. It is estimated that around one-third of Russia's refining capacity has been rendered inoperable, forcing Moscow to curtail refined-fuel exports and seek imports from India.
Broader Geopolitical Context
The pressure on energy markets is occurring amid an expanding conflict in Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized territory. Saudi Arabia had reportedly urged Trump to strike Houthi targets over the weekend. Despite targets being identified and troops prepared, Trump ultimately withdrew from the planned strike, according to The New York Times.
The conflict in Yemen has further threatened shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital route for global energy supplies. This route has gained importance as other energy corridors, such as Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, have been disrupted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated his forces were preparing retaliatory air strikes against Ukraine's energy sites. Ukrainian officials, however, maintain that the refinery strikes are an effective tactic contributing to global pressure.
President Zelensky, who is scheduled to meet with Trump at the UN General Assembly, defended the strikes on Monday, characterizing them as "part of the pressure that is actually working and the world can feel it."