Trump Urges Ukraine to Stop Russian Refinery Strikes Amid Fuel Crisis

President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian oil and gas refineries, claiming the strikes are driving a global transportation energy crisis. The request comes as U.S. diesel prices reached record national averages exceeding $6 per gallon, with some regional prices in San Diego approaching $10. Trump asserted that the shortage is caused by the destruction of Russian infrastructure rather than conflicts in the Middle East, stating that diesel is having a "hard time coming out of Russia."

Ukrainian drone attacks have crippled half of Russia's six largest diesel-producing refineries, including the total shutdown of the Kirishi plant. In response, the Government of the Russian Federation extended export bans on gasoline and diesel into 2027 and implemented domestic fuel sale limits. While Trump now pressures Kyiv to halt these strikes, reports indicate his administration previously authorized the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to provide Ukraine with the intelligence necessary to conduct these long-range attacks.

Domestic political tension has risen over the crisis. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer blamed the price spikes on Trump's war with Iran, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited a combination of the Iran conflict and the war in Ukraine as drivers of the current energy shock. To address these issues, the U.S. is hosting G20 meetings in Houston, Texas, to discuss energy abundance, though the invitation of Russian officials has drawn criticism from European allies.