President Donald Trump publicly demanded that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stop striking Russian oil refineries over its impact on diesel prices, a central aspect of Ukraine’s drone campaign against Russia.
The latest energy issue to emerge has been a spike in diesel oil prices, something that could further jeopardize Republican chances in the midterm elections. On Sunday, Trump said he had spoken with Zelensky to demand he stop Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, given the impact on diesel oil prices, which hit a nationwide average of $6 per gallon for the first time in U.S. history on Friday.
“Zelensky has to do one thing: He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia. Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel fuel. This isn’t done by the Middle East. This is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said.
“We spoke to Mr. Zelensky about it, there are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting the world,” he added.
Strikes on Russian oil refineries provided Ukraine with its first notable victory since its disastrous Kursk invasion in 2024, for the first time dealing notable economic damage and affecting everyday life in some parts of Russia. Strikes on other energy targets were far less effective. Only strikes on refineries specifically generated a notable impact on the Russian economy, and politically costly moves from Moscow, including a ban on gasoline and diesel exports.
DEATH TOLL RISES TO 38 AFTER RUSSIAN STRIKE ON UKRAINIAN WAREHOUSE
Ukraine’s expansion into drone and missile attacks on other targets within Russia has been far less effective, even counterproductive. The decision to attack Russian Wildberries warehouses, Russia’s main e-commerce company, triggered a response that wiped out a majority of Ukraine’s warehouse capacity after Moscow had shown restraint against the civilian targets. The destruction of warehouses and retailers has led to widespread shortages in Ukrainian stores.
If Ukraine is forced to end its strikes against oil refineries, the only notable success of its expensive and politically costly drone and missile campaign will be rendered moot.