Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Trump Says Ukraine’s Refinery Strikes Are Hurting Global Fuel Markets
Trump wants Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries, which make fuel such as diesel.
He says the attacks are reducing the amount of fuel available around the world.
Diesel prices in Europe and the United States have risen sharply.
The International Energy Agency says many refineries are already working close to their limits.
That means it may be difficult to quickly make more fuel if supplies fall further.
India buys Russian crude oil and turns some of it into fuel for global markets.
More Russian energy exports could help Indian refiners, but the United States could impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy.
Russia agrees with Trump’s request.
Ukraine says the attacks are a legitimate way to limit fuel for Russia’s military and pressure its economy.
Trump has urged Ukraine to stop drone and missile attacks on Russian refineries and diesel infrastructure.
He says the strikes are reducing fuel supplies, raising diesel prices and harming global markets.
European diesel futures reached a record high, while US retail diesel prices exceeded $6 per gallon.
India’s refiners could benefit from more stable Russian crude supplies but face possible US tariff pressure.
Russia supports Trump’s position, while Ukraine says refinery attacks weaken Russia’s military and economy.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia and Ukraine are central to the dispute; India is affected through its refining and energy trade.
- What
- Trump is urging Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian refineries and diesel infrastructure because he says they are worsening global fuel pressures.
- When
- The issue arose as the Russia-Ukraine war entered its fourth year, ahead of a planned Trump-Zelenskyy meeting during the United Nations General Assembly; Trump also made a similar demand on September 13.
- Where
- The attacks target Russian refineries and fuel infrastructure, while their effects are being felt in global markets, Europe, the United States and India.
- Why
- Trump says the strikes reduce fuel supplies and raise prices, while Ukraine says they restrict fuel available to Russia’s military and pressure its economy.
Ukraine’s Position
Trump and Russia’s Position
Military purpose of refinery attacks
Ukraine’s Position
Ukraine says the strikes are a legitimate military tactic that reduces fuel available to Russia’s military and puts pressure on its economy.
Trump and Russia’s Position
Trump says Ukraine should choose other targets and stop attacking diesel infrastructure; Russia supports efforts to halt attacks on what it calls civilian economic infrastructure.
Effect on global fuel markets
Ukraine’s Position
Ukraine’s attacks are presented as part of its effort to weaken Russia, while the article also notes that broader Middle East and Red Sea disruptions are contributing to fuel pressure.
Trump and Russia’s Position
Trump says the refinery strikes are reducing global fuel supplies and raising diesel prices, while Russia attributes much of the wider energy instability to the Gulf.
Diplomatic and economic priorities
Ukraine’s Position
Ukraine has continued the attacks despite an earlier statement that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking energy infrastructure.
Trump and Russia’s Position
Trump wants Russian fuel supplies to return to global markets without further disruption and views ending the attacks as part of reducing tensions and ending the war.
- European diesel prices
- Diesel futures closed at a record high and were more than twice their level at the start of 2026.
- US diesel prices
- Retail diesel prices crossed $6 per gallon for the first time.
- Global refining capacity
- The International Energy Agency said many refineries are already operating near capacity, leaving few options to increase supplies.
- Russian refinery attacks
- Trump said many Russian refineries had been damaged and temporarily taken offline during the war.
- India’s energy trade
- Indian refiners buy discounted Russian crude, process it into products such as diesel and export some products internationally.
- Potential US sanctions
- The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 allows tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian oil or gas, but does not impose them automatically.
- Middle East diesel shipments
- Regional diesel shipments fell by about half to 800,000 barrels per day between March and August.