Trump tells Zelensky not to attack Russian refineries

Former US President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cease targeting Russian refineries, blaming Zelensky for a global diesel shortage. Speaking at his resort in Ireland, Trump stated, "He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia." He suggested that Ukraine could focus on "plenty of other targets."

However, Trump did not mention that the energy crisis was sparked by the war against Iran, which he initiated alongside Israel on February 28, nor the complex situation in the Strait of Hormuz. He falsely claimed that Ukrainian attacks were causing the diesel shortage.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, worldwide energy prices surged. In recent months, Ukraine intensified attacks on Russian oil facilities, causing processing to plummet to its lowest level in over two decades. Many Russian petrol stations are empty, while others offer fuel in limited quantities, forcing motorists to wait hours to fill their tanks.

Trump's narrative neglects the fact that the US-Iran war significantly impacts the global oil market due to disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for international oil transport. Prior to the war, nearly a fifth of global oil shipments passed through this strait. Uncertainty over supplies is driving up crude oil prices, which in turn raises the cost of diesel and petrol.

The higher fuel prices pose a challenge for Trump as the mid-term elections are scheduled for November 3. On Friday, the average US diesel price reached a record $6 per gallon (3.785 litres), according to the Automobile Association (AAA).