U.S. President Donald Trump on September 13 publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease strikes on Russian diesel refineries, stating the attacks were contributing to a global fuel shortage. Speaking to reporters during a golf-focused visit to his Doonbeg resort in Ireland, Trump said Zelenskyy must "stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia" and focus on alternative targets.
Trump’s comments came as diesel prices in the U.S. reached a record average of $6.20 per gallon, a 68% increase from the previous year, according to AAA. The Ukrainian leader has defended the strikes as necessary to disrupt Russia’s oil and gas industry, which Kyiv argues funds and fuels Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia has imposed fuel rationing in response to the attacks, though it remains a major oil and gas exporter.
Immediate Developments
Trump’s remarks followed a recent wave of drone strikes targeting Russian oil infrastructure. On September 13, Ukrainian drones struck the Slavyansk-on-Kuban refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, damaging an oil-processing unit and igniting a fire at the facility’s tank farm, according to Ukrainian defense intelligence. Russian authorities reported three injuries and damage to an oil pipeline but did not confirm the Ukrainian account.
In Russia’s Tatarstan region, a drone strike near the city of Nizhnekamsk—home to a major refining and petrochemical hub—killed two civilians and injured 14 others when a drone collided with a tree near their parked car. Local officials reported a fire at an unspecified enterprise, while Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attack.
Context and Broader Impact
Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure over the past several months, arguing that targeting oil and gas facilities weakens Moscow’s military capabilities. Kyiv has also struck major Russian online retailers in an effort to bring the war closer to civilian life. Russia has retaliated with intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, aiming to disrupt civilian infrastructure ahead of winter.
The global diesel shortage has been exacerbated by reduced oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following tensions between Iran and Western nations, as well as Russia’s ban on diesel exports in July. U.S. fuel prices have become a political issue ahead of midterm elections, with inflation and energy costs influencing voter sentiment.
International Reactions
Trump’s intervention marks a shift in tone from his administration, which has previously supported Ukraine’s military efforts. While Trump did not specify whether he had directly discussed the strikes with Zelenskyy, he stated that U.S. officials had raised the issue. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was open to restarting peace talks in autumn, involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S.
Ukrainian officials have not publicly responded to Trump’s remarks. Zelenskyy has previously defended the strikes as a necessary measure to degrade Russia’s war machine. Analysts note that the targeting of diesel refineries has led to fuel shortages in parts of Russia, though the country remains a net exporter of oil and gas.
Economic and Geopolitical Implications
The disruption in global diesel supplies has raised concerns about energy security, particularly in Europe, which has historically relied on Russian fuel. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has warned that diesel inventories remain tight, with refiners struggling to meet demand amid ongoing conflicts.
Trump’s golf trip to Ireland also drew attention after he unexpectedly expressed support for a united Ireland, breaking from Washington’s traditional neutrality on the issue. The remarks sparked pushback from pro-UK loyalists in Northern Ireland, while Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin welcomed the comments as a personal perspective rather than official U.S. policy.