Trump calls on Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian diesel targets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urged by US President Donald Trump to cease strikes on Russian diesel targets amid the ongoing conflict. Russia is grappling with a critical fuel shortage, and Ukrainian long-range drones have damaged several Russian oil refineries, prompting Moscow to halt diesel exports until the end of September.

Trump, speaking at the Irish Open golf tournament in County Clare, said, "President Zelenskyy has to do one thing: he has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia. Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he's causing a shortage of diesel fuel." Zelenskyy responded during an event in Kyiv, stating Ukraine is prepared to retaliate against any Russian actions, warning Russia of potential energy blackouts.

Ukrainian forces have struck oil refineries in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Tatarstan, with over 60 strikes reported on at least 24 refineries, according to the Caspian Policy Centre think tank. The strikes aim to escalate the economic burden on Russia, a major oil producer, and reduce fuel supplies to its military.

This comes after Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing long queues for petrol and empty streets in Russian cities. Trump attempted to distance the US conflict with Iran from the current energy price surge, stating, "This isn't done by the Middle East, this is done by what's happening with Russia and Ukraine."

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has resulted in a stalemate, and Trump, who claimed he would end the war in 24 hours during his campaign, has failed to broker a resolution.