As U.S. diesel tops $6 a gallon, Trump asks Ukraine to stop hitting Russian fuel plants

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to stop targeting Russian facilities that produce diesel fuel. Speaking to reporters at a golf tournament in Ireland, Trump said he had discussed the matter with Zelensky, arguing that Ukraine has plenty of other potential targets and that hitting diesel production is harming the entire world. His remarks were reported by Reuters.

Trump said Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have caused diesel shortages and pushed prices higher. He argued that the global fuel shortage is not being driven by events in the Middle East, but by the war between Russia and Ukraine.

U.S. prices hit new high

According to Reuters, the price of diesel in the United States has climbed above $6 per gallon (roughly 3.8 liters) for the first time. The increase carries broad economic weight, since trucks and agricultural equipment run on diesel, meaning higher fuel costs feed through into the price of consumer goods.

Reuters notes that the main driver of higher fuel prices is the overall rise in global oil prices. North Sea Brent crude has recently climbed to $107.60 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude has reached $102.50 a barrel. The increase in oil prices is linked to the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran.