Trump urges Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian diesel infrastructure

Washington – President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian diesel‑producing facilities are adding to the worldwide shortage of fuel. In remarks to reporters at the White House, the president linked the attacks on a cluster of Russian refineries and storage sites in the Krasnodar and Rostov regions to the tightening of diesel supplies that have already been strained by reduced output in the United States and heightened demand in Europe. Biden noted that the disruption of Russian diesel exports, which historically accounted for a significant share of the global market, is contributing to higher prices and limited availability for consumers and businesses in multiple regions.

The administration’s assessment comes as energy analysts observe a continued rise in diesel prices across Europe and North America, while Russian officials have blamed Kyiv for “weaponizing” energy supplies. Ukrainian officials maintain that the operations target military logistics rather than civilian markets. The president’s comments underscore the broader geopolitical ripple effects of the conflict, suggesting that the ongoing hostilities may further complicate efforts to stabilize global fuel markets and prompting calls for diplomatic engagement to mitigate the economic fallout.