Trump tells Zelensky to stop striking Russian diesel infrastructure

On September 13, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cease attacks on Russia's diesel fuel infrastructure. Trump contended that these strikes were exacerbating a global diesel shortage, as his ongoing war against Iran had disrupted fuel supplies worldwide. The comments suggest Trump's intention to limit Ukraine's assaults on Russia's energy sector amidst the growing fuel market disruptions caused by the U.S. conflict with Iran.

Trump emphasized that Zelensky should cease targeting diesel fuel, stating, "He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia." The president argued that Ukraine's actions were causing a global diesel shortage. Trump had previously discussed the matter with Zelensky, highlighting that Ukraine's strikes were not a Middle Eastern issue.

Ukraine has persistently targeted Russian oil infrastructure as part of its overall strategy to disrupt fuel supplies and diminish Moscow's revenue, which funds its war against Ukraine. On September 13, Ukrainian forces targeted oil refineries in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Tatarstan, according to Ukraine's General Staff.