President Donald Trump on Sunday asked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop Kyiv’s strikes on Russian refineries over concerns that the attacks are driving up global diesel prices, it was reported. Trump repeatedly focused on diesel during his phone call with Zelenskyy and urged Ukraine to halt drone and missile attacks on Russian energy facilities, the Financial Times reported Monday, citing people familiar with the conversation. The president was particularly concerned about rising diesel prices and maintaining Russian supplies on the global market, according to the FT.
Axios separately reported that Trump repeatedly pressed Zelenskyy about the refinery attacks during the call, with a person familiar with the conversation saying diesel was raised numerous times. The discussion came amid a global squeeze on diesel supplies that has sent prices sharply higher in the United States. The national average surpassed $6 a gallon this month, with supply disruptions from the Middle East, Russia and China contributing to the increase, according to Axios. Ukraine’s sustained campaign against Russian refineries has added pressure to an already-tight market.
