Donald Trump Blames Volodymyr Zelensky for Rising Diesel Prices – U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to cease strikes against Russian oil refineries amid a worldwide diesel shortage.
Trump encouraged the Ukrainian President not to strike targets that produce diesel, arguing that the ongoing drone campaign was “hurting the world.”
President Donald J. Trump speaks with members of the media alongside outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Friday, August 21, 2026, en route to South Carolina. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Garden City, New York, Friday, August 14, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
The U.S. President, who publicly made the comments during the Irish Open at his golf club in County Clare, said he had already spoken to Zelensky on the issue.
Prices Soaring
The price of diesel has soared in recent months, with the national average in the U.S. rising past $6 a gallon for the first time on Friday, 11th September.
Much of the price rise stems from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – a key international waterway for oil exporters such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar – prompting prices to rise as vessels remain anchored in the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, a renewed offensive by Houthi rebels in Yemen has led to the seizure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait – another narrow body of water predominantly used by Saudi Arabia for oil exports.
This knock-on effect has raised diesel prices worldwide and in the United States, subsequently increasing the cost of living for Americans. With his party facing challenging midterms in November, Trump has struggled to make true the promises of his presidential campaign to reduce living costs in the U.S.
Strikes “Hurting the World”
In what may be a bid to deflect blame for rising diesel prices away from the war with Iran, Trump publicly called on Zelensky to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries that produce diesel.
For much of the past year, Ukraine has targeted critical Russian infrastructure to disrupt Moscow’s war efforts. Through cheap, easily replaceable drones, Kyiv has damaged energy facilities across Russia, forcing several to suspend operations. Naturally, this reduces the supply of oil, causing fuel shortages that hamper Russia’s military operations while raising the cost for everyday Russians. It also affects the Russian economy, as less fuel is available to the few nations that still trade with Moscow.
On Sunday, Trump was in the Republic of Ireland for the conclusion of the Irish Open – an annual golf tournament that, this year, was being held at his course in County Clare.
“Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump told reporters over the weekend. “We spoke to Mr. Zelensky about it. There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel, because that’s hurting… that’s hurting the world.”
Oil Supply Remains Low
Trump’s comments came just days after the publication of a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Exports from the Gulf states remain just over a quarter above pre-Iran war levels, while continued disruption on Russia’s exports have “compounded these losses,” according to the IEA.
These two regions accounted for 45% of global seaborne trade before the Iran war began in February this year.
“With the protected U.S.-Iran diplomatic standoff and renewed attacks in both the Gulf and the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandeb choke point continuing to hamper the normalization of oil flows, we have further cut our supply and demand projections for the remainder of the year,” the IEA said on Friday, adding that a full recovery in supplies from the Middle East had been deferred until next year.
Strikes Continuing
Ukraine has continued to strike Russian energy facilities over the weekend.
Overnight into Sunday, two people were reportedly killed and 14 more wounded near an oil and industrial hub in Russia’s Tatarstan region. The two Russian civilians died when a Ukrainian drone struck a tree near their parked car.
Furthermore, Ukraine also claimed to have hit a large oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in the country’s southwest. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine agency said drones struck a key oil processing unit in the overnight attacks.
Russia, which claimed to have shot down 389 Ukrainian drones overnight, has also continued aerial strikes against Ukraine. At least nine people were reportedly injured in the port city of Odesa, while two were killed and 26 injured after a Russian drone attack on a residential building in the city.
The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 409 Russian drones overnight, including jet-powered UAVs which have been increasingly used by Moscow. It added that 453 drones had been fired in total.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
