As diesel prices in the United States have surged to a record high, U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stop attacks on Russia's oil refining facilities. With midterm elections coming up in Nov., the sharp rise in energy prices has emerged as a political liability, prompting direct pressure on Ukraine.
On the 13th (local time) in Ireland, where he was visiting, President Trump told reporters that he discussed Ukraine's attacks on Russia's diesel-related facilities with President Zelensky.
President Trump said, "There are many other targets, so do not hit diesel fuel," and added, "You must stop destroying Russia's diesel-related infrastructure."
Recently, U.S. diesel prices climbed above $6 per gallon, hitting an all-time high.
Amid heightened instability in the global energy supply chain due to the Middle East war, Ukraine's successive drone attacks on Russia's oil refining facilities are also seen as having affected the reduction in diesel supply.
Russia is one of the major exporters of diesel on the international market. If disruptions at refining facilities reduce global supply, upward pressure on fuel prices could increase in the United States and other major countries.
In particular, diesel prices are directly tied to freight transport and logistics costs and can affect overall consumer prices.
With about two months left before the midterms, high oil prices pose a potential political burden for President Trump. Accordingly, he has even directly taken issue with Ukraine's methods of attacking Russia, which is seen as an effort to stabilize energy prices.