President Trump said Sunday that soaring diesel prices were being driven by Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to stop targeting the facilities.
“Zelensky has to do one thing — he has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump said while speaking at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland.
“This isn’t done by the Middle East; this is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine.”
Recent AAA data puts the national average for diesel at $6.06 a gallon, the highest level ever recorded. The previous peak was $5.82 per gallon in June 2022, months after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The average price was still below $4 per gallon as recently as March.
Although most passenger vehicles run on gasoline, diesel is essential to the broader economy. It powers big-rig trucks, farm machinery, trains and large ships, meaning a sharp increase in diesel costs can quickly raise the price of a wide range of consumer goods.
Ukraine has spent the past several months striking Russian oil and gas refineries in an effort to damage the Kremlin’s largest source of revenue.
The attacks have prompted Moscow to suspend diesel exports.
Iran and allied groups have also attacked refineries in the Gulf, contributing to a decline in production.
CNBC reported that global diesel supplies have fallen by 8%, while US refineries are already operating at 98% of capacity.
Trump said he has spoken with Zelensky and argued that Ukraine has “plenty of other targets,” stressing that the United States does not want Kyiv to strike diesel fuel facilities.
“Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting the world,” Trump added.
Kyiv says the long-range strikes against Russia’s oil and gas funds and directly fuels Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor.
