President Donald Trump said Russia has “lost control” of its diesel industry and infrastructure as he escalates his criticism of the Russia-Ukraine war for increasing diesel prices.
“Russia has unfortunately lost control of its Diesel Oil Industry due to its War with Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. “A large number of their Diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission.”
Trump reiterated that the “ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended.”
“The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month,” he wrote. “What a shame!”
Trump’s Truth Social post coincides with average diesel prices per gallon reaching $6.51 on Monday, up from $6.23 last week, according to AAA.
The average price of diesel surpassed $6 a gallon earlier this month, setting a new record, with the previous high of $5.82 reported in June 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Russia typically exports more diesel than any other country apart from the U.S., but it imposed an export ban in July that is expected to remain in place until the end of September in response to refinery damage caused by Ukraine amid the war.
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At the same time, Russia has similarly launched strikes against Ukraine’s own energy industry.
Trump’s post also comes before the president is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this Tuesday in New York City.