Trump urges Zelensky to halt refinery attacks, cites global diesel squeeze
Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, linking them to rising diesel prices worldwide.
Donald Trump posted that Russia has lost control of its diesel industry because of the war, asserting that several refineries have been damaged or destroyed. He urged an immediate end to the "ridiculous and never-ending" conflict, citing the loss of about 25,000 lives each month. Trump’s message, delivered on Truth Social, emphasized that Ukrainian drone and missile strikes on Russian refineries are driving up global diesel prices.
He reiterated these points during a call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a conversation that preceded their planned meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Ukrainian officials said Trump asked Zelenskyy to order his forces to stop targeting diesel facilities, while the Kremlin welcomed the appeal. Recent drone attacks have indeed reduced Russian refining output, contributing to fuel shortages and higher prices worldwide.
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Why it matters
The plea could influence Ukraine's targeting decisions, affecting global fuel markets and the course of the Russia-Ukraine war.
How this story developed
- Aug 30 India supplies nearly a million barrels of gasoline to Russia as Moscow faces refinery attacks
- Sep 8 Local residents posted video showing explosions and flames at the Saratov facility after the overnight drone attack. The governor, Roman Busargin, said civilian infrastructure was hit and mentioned early casualty reports, though details were sparse. Independent analysis confirmed the refinery was the target, and the plant is a key producer of gasoline, diesel and other fuels for the Russian military. This incident follows several earlier strikes on the same refinery that have disrupted its output.
- Sep 9 Ukrainian drones also struck the Russian Black Sea naval base in Novorossisk.
- Sep 11 Sea drones detonated on the Sochi promenade, injuring civilians and prompting evacuations.
- Sep 11 Russia has begun importing Jet A‑1 from South Korea and Egypt.
- Sep 11 Ukrainian drone strikes killed civilians in the Tula and Kursk regions.
- Sep 12 President Volodymyr Zelensky called the EU's move to consider easing sanctions on Russian billionaires immoral and self-destructive as the bloc struggles to renew the measures before the September 15 deadline.
- Sep 13 Russian jet‑powered drones attacked a Kyiv petrol station, killing two and injuring twelve.
- Sep 15 EU Coreper authorized a week‑long postponement of the sanctions expiry.
- Sep 19 President Donald Trump signed a bill that gives the United States new authority to impose broad sanctions on Russia, targeting its energy sector and senior officials.
- Sep 19 President Trump signed the expanded sanctions law.
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