Trump Tells Zelenskyy: Stop Russian Refinery Strikes — SkimNews
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- Trump told reporters in Ireland on Sunday that Zelenskyy "has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," arguing the strikes are "hurting the world" more than the US-Iran war.
- Ukraine's months-long wave of long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries has cut Russia's domestic fuel production and triggered petrol shortages inside Russia.
- Ukraine defends the refinery strikes as legitimate military targets, saying Russia's oil industry both funds and directly fuels the more-than-four-year-old invasion.
- US diesel hit an all-time average high of $6.06 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.71 a year ago, per the American Automobile Association.
- The International Energy Agency attributed diesel supply losses to both Russia's refining disruptions and the Iran conflict, saying Ukrainian attacks had "compounded" Middle East-driven losses.
- Brent crude crossed $100 a barrel last week for the first time since July, climbing as high as $109, as roughly one-fifth of the world's oil normally transits the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters: For Americans paying record diesel ($6.06/gallon, up from $3.71 a year ago) ahead of November midterm elections, Trump's public blame on Ukraine clashes with the IEA's finding that the squeeze reflects both the Russia-Ukraine war and the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Zelenskyy's stated position — that Russian refineries fund the invasion — undercuts Trump's demand.
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