Trump Urges Ukraine to Halt Strikes on Russian Diesel Amid Record U.S. Prices
U.S. President Donald Trump called for an end to Ukrainian attacks on Russian diesel facilities, citing a global shortage and record-high U.S. fuel prices. This request coincides with intensified cross-border strikes that have resulted in civilian casualties in both nations, while the Kremlin signals potential peace talks could resume in October.
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease strikes targeting Russian diesel production facilities. Speaking at the Irish Open held at his Doonbeg golf club, Trump stated that these attacks are contributing to a global shortage of diesel. The call comes as average diesel prices in the United States hit a record high, soaring past $6 a gallon on Friday.
The pressure on global fuel supplies is compounded by Russia’s ban on diesel exports implemented in July. Meanwhile, military actions between the two nations have escalated, resulting in significant damage and loss of life on both sides of the border.
In Russia, Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted key industrial hubs. In Nizhnekamsk, located in the Tatarstan region, a strike near an oil and industrial hub killed two people and injured 14 others. Additionally, Ukraine claimed responsibility for hitting a major oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban within the Krasnodar region. Local authorities reported that three people were injured and an oil pipeline was damaged in this incident. According to Russia’s defense ministry, forces shot down 389 Ukrainian drones during overnight operations.
Conversely, Russia launched large-scale nighttime attacks on Ukraine, focusing heavily on Odesa and western border regions. A massive assault on Odesa left at least nine people injured. Earlier in the week, a separate Russian drone attack struck a residential high-rise in Odesa, killing two people and injuring 26 others. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting or suppressing 409 out of 453 total Russian drones during these overnight attacks.
Attacks also disrupted critical infrastructure near international borders. A Russian drone set fire to a gas station near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing with Poland, although the crossing itself remained intact. In another incident earlier in the week, two people died when Russian drones hit the Starokozache border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova.
Despite the intensifying violence, diplomatic channels remain active. U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff recently held talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Following these engagements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that Moscow is open to restarting peace negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, potentially in October.