Trump Calls Russian Diesel Industry in Crisis

Donald Trump has publicly declared that Russia’s diesel sector is in crisis following Ukrainian attacks on refineries, blaming the war for global fuel price spikes. He urged Ukrainian President Zelensky to stop the strikes, citing the impact on worldwide diesel supply and U.S. fuel costs.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 21 Sep 2026 20:50:23 GMT

In a surprising statement on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump declared that Russia’s diesel industry had been “lost control” after a wave of Ukrainian attacks on refineries. Trump’s post came just hours after he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to urge a halt to Kyiv’s strikes on Russian fuel facilities, citing concerns that the attacks were worsening a global diesel shortage.

What Trump Said

In his tweet‑style message, Trump wrote: “A large number of their Diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission.” He added that the “ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended,” claiming that 25,000 people—“mostly soldiers”—were being killed each month. The post also highlighted the record‑high U.S. diesel price of $6.51 per gallon, a sharp rise from the $3.76 level before the conflict.

Ukraine’s Strike Campaign

Ukraine has intensified its drone and missile campaign against Russian energy infrastructure in the last weeks. A recent large‑scale attack reportedly set a major Russian refinery ablaze, with Ukrainian officials saying the drones targeted the distillation towers that are difficult to repair. Russian authorities claimed that about a third of the country’s refining capacity has been knocked out, forcing Moscow to limit exports and import fuel from India.

Trump’s Call with Zelensky

During a Sunday phone conversation, Trump pressed Zelensky to stop the refinery strikes. A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that the president’s message was simply “diesel, diesel, diesel.” Another source said Trump wanted Russian fuel to flow back onto the world market to help bring prices down. Trump also claimed that Moscow and Kyiv had reached a truce to stop attacking each other’s energy sites, a claim that Ukrainian officials denied.

Broader Energy Context

The U.S. and Israel’s February strikes on Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. The disruption, combined with Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries, has tightened global fuel supplies. The result has been a surge in diesel prices, which are critical for transportation, trucking, rail, and agricultural machinery.

Political Implications

Fuel price spikes have become a political issue for Republicans ahead of the mid‑term elections. Trump’s comments come at a time when he is also dealing with the fallout from his own conflict with Iran and the ongoing war in Yemen. The U.S. has faced pressure from Saudi Arabia to strike Houthi targets, adding another layer of tension to global shipping lanes such as the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait.

What’s Next?

It remains unclear whether Ukraine will cease its refinery attacks or whether Russia will respond with a larger air‑strike campaign. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled that a mass air‑strike response may be forthcoming, especially as winter approaches and his forces are expected to resume attacks on Ukraine’s power grid. Trump’s leverage over Ukraine may involve the sweeping sanctions law he signed last week, though it is uncertain how that will influence Kyiv’s strategy.

Key facts

Trump declares Russian diesel crisis after Ukrainian strikes
He urges Zelensky to stop refinery attacks
Russia’s refining capacity reduced by one‑third
U.S. diesel prices reach record highs
Political fallout for Republicans amid rising fuel costs

Why it matters

The diesel shortage threatens to slow global supply chains and increase costs for consumers and businesses alike, making it a pressing issue for policymakers and the public.