Former US President Donald Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to stop striking Russian diesel fuel and oil infrastructure, arguing that the repeated attacks are destabilizing energy supplies and triggering acute shortages within Russia.
Ukraine has for months carried out coordinated long-range attacks against Russian oil refineries, storage depots, and processing plants deep inside Russian territory. The strikes, often involving drone swarms and western-supplied missiles, have targeted some of Russia's largest refining hubs in regions including Ryazan, Saratov, and Volgograd. According to independent analysts and Russian regional officials, at least half a dozen major refineries have been damaged or temporarily shut down since early 2024.
The damage has cascaded through Russia's domestic fuel supply chain. Regions that previously relied on refined diesel from southern and central refineries are now experiencing rationing, with some gas stations reporting weeks-long queues and temporary closures. In July, Moscow responded by imposing an emergency ban on diesel exports to protect domestic availability, a move that sent shockwaves through global fuel markets.
Russia has repeatedly blamed the shortages on Kyiv's "energy terrorism," while Ukrainian officials have defended the strikes as necessary military actions aimed at degrading Moscow's war-fighting capacity. Western allies, including the United States under the current Biden administration, have granted Ukraine permission to use supplied weapons against military-related energy targets inside Russia.
Trump's comments mark a shift in tone from the Biden administration's position. During his presidency, Trump was critical of Ukraine's military spending but did not issue direct public pleas to Kyiv to cease specific types of strikes. His latest remarks suggest a strategy focused on pressuring Ukraine to reduce escalatory actions that could further complicate any future negotiations with Russia.
Energy experts warn that Russia's diesel export ban could have ripple effects globally, particularly for countries like India that have increasingly turned to Russian petroleum products as alternative sources since Western sanctions disrupted traditional supply chains.
