Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Trump Urges Ukraine to Halt Russian Refinery Strikes Amid Shortage
Donald Trump asked Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil and diesel facilities.
He said the attacks are making fuel harder to find around the world.
Average diesel prices in the United States rose above $6 per gallon.
Ukraine says Russia’s oil industry helps fund and support its war effort.
Ukrainian attacks have contributed to fuel rationing in Russia.
Russia responded by suspending diesel exports in July.
The International Energy Agency said Gulf and Russian fuel exports have fallen sharply.
Russia has also increased missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.
At the same time, the U.S. House is preparing to consider tougher sanctions against Russia.
The situation creates a disagreement between protecting fuel supplies and increasing pressure on Moscow.
Donald Trump urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and diesel infrastructure.
Trump said the strikes were worsening a global fuel shortage after average U.S. diesel prices exceeded $6 per gallon.
Ukraine’s attacks have contributed to fuel rationing in Russia, prompting Moscow to suspend diesel exports in July.
The International Energy Agency said disruptions to Russian refining and sharply lower Gulf exports have constrained diesel supplies.
The House is expected to consider a bill proposing tougher sanctions on Russia and countries doing business with Moscow.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine, Russia, the International Energy Agency, and the U.S. House of Representatives.
- What
- Trump urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and diesel infrastructure as fuel prices and supply concerns increase.
- When
- Trump made the comments on Sunday after U.S. diesel prices surpassed $6 per gallon; an IEA report was published Friday, and the House is expected to consider the sanctions bill before the November midterm elections.
- Where
- Trump spoke at his Doonbeg golf club on the sidelines of the Irish Open; the reported effects involve Ukraine, Russia, Gulf countries, and global fuel markets.
- Why
- Trump said the strikes were worsening global fuel shortages, while Ukraine says Russia’s energy industry helps finance and fuel its military campaign.
Fuel-Supply Concern
Pressure on Russia
Attacks on Russian energy facilities
Fuel-Supply Concern
Trump said Ukraine should stop striking Russian diesel and oil-production facilities because the attacks are worsening global fuel shortages.
Pressure on Russia
Ukraine has continued targeting Russia’s energy sector, saying it helps finance and directly fuel Moscow’s military campaign.
How to respond to Russia
Fuel-Supply Concern
Trump’s appeal prioritizes protecting global fuel supplies and limiting further price increases.
Pressure on Russia
The proposed House bill would increase sanctions on Russia and countries doing business with Moscow, prioritizing economic pressure.
- U.S. diesel prices
- Average prices surpassed $6 per gallon on Friday; one report described the level as a record high.
- Trump’s appeal
- Trump told Zelenskyy to stop targeting diesel fuel in Russia and said there were other possible targets.
- Russian export suspension
- Moscow suspended diesel exports in July after Ukrainian attacks and fuel-rationing pressures.
- IEA assessment
- The agency said Gulf net exports of diesel and gasoil in August were just over one-quarter of pre-February levels.
- Global trade share
- The IEA said Gulf and Russian diesel and gasoil exports accounted for almost 45% of global seaborne trade in February.
- Proposed sanctions bill
- The House is expected to consider legislation named after Lindsey Graham that would impose heavier sanctions on Russia and countries doing business with Moscow.
- Recent attacks
- Russia intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, while Ukraine reported strikes on Russian oil facilities and Russia reported downing Ukrainian drones.
