Video: Trump tells Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian diesel refineries
Donald Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
United States President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian diesel facilities, warning that the strikes are worsening fuel shortages and “hurting the world.”
Speaking to journalists in Ireland on the sidelines of the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf club, Trump said Ukraine could continue targeting other military sites but should avoid Russian fuel infrastructure.
“Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia.
“Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel fuel,” he said.
Trump said the disruption in diesel supplies was linked to the Russia-Ukraine war rather than tensions in the Middle East.
“This isn’t done by the Middle East; this is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine,” he said, adding that Washington had discussed the issue with Zelenskyy.
“We spoke to Mr Zelenskyy about it, there are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting the world,” Trump said.
The remarks mark a shift from Trump’s earlier 2026 comments, in which he appeared to support strikes on Russian refineries as a possible means of increasing pressure on Moscow.
Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced Russian refining capacity, strained domestic fuel supplies and contributed to pressure on international diesel markets.
