Trump Wants Ukraine to Stop Striking Russian Refineries. What Would That Mean for the War?
Most of the diesel squeeze stems from the U.S.-Iran war, but heeding Trump’s request could undercut Kyiv’s strategy to pressure Moscow.
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease strikes on Russia's diesel fuel infrastructure and refineries, arguing that such attacks are fueling a global shortage. Trump stated to reporters in Ireland on Sunday that Ukraine should target other objectives rather than diesel fuel, warning that the current shortage is primarily due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, not the Middle East.
However, energy-market data suggests that the main driver of the diesel shortage is the Middle East conflict, not Russian attacks. The request to halt these strikes is seen as a significant blow to Ukraine's ability to exert pressure on Moscow, potentially leading to more Ukrainian casualties.
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