Trump Tells Zelenskyy, "Stop Attacking Russian Refineries" as Diesel Prices Surge Ahead of Midterm Elections

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump strongly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop attacking Russia's diesel fuel infrastructure. With diesel prices, which directly affect household costs, soaring to a record high ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, Trump appears to be moving urgently to contain the fallout.
According to The Associated Press (AP) and other foreign media outlets on the 13th (local time), Trump, who was visiting Ireland, told reporters that day, "There is one thing President Zelenskyy should do: stop destroying Russia's diesel fuel facilities."
Trump criticized the attacks, saying, "There are plenty of other targets, so don't hit diesel fuel," and added, "Ukraine's attacks are causing a diesel shortage." He continued, "We spoke with President Zelenskyy about this issue," while emphasizing, "This is not a problem caused by the Middle East."
The U.S. administration's direct move to rein in Ukraine's military operations stems from worsening economic sentiment in the United States. Diesel prices in the United States recently surpassed $6 per gallon, setting a record high. The sharp rise in diesel prices is seen as a major political liability that could fuel inflation and trigger a serious voter backlash in the upcoming midterm elections.
The global energy market is currently facing an extreme supply crunch. More than 20% of the Middle East's refining capacity has been taken offline in the aftermath of the United States' war against Iran, while the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's crude oil supply passes, has been effectively closed.
Against this backdrop, Ukraine has concentrated its attacks on major oil and refining infrastructure in Russia to cut off fuel supplies to the Russian military and dry up its war funding. However, the attacks have ultimately worsened the global diesel shortage and are even shaking up the electoral outlook in the United States.

[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter