WASHINGTON — President Trump publicly called Monday for an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine after a series of attacks by Kyiv on Moscow’s energy holdings triggered another spike in diesel fuel prices.
“Russia has unfortunately lost control of its Diesel Oil Industry due to its War with Ukraine,” the president posted on Truth Social.
“A large number of their Diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission,” the president went on. “This ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended.
Smoke columns rise after strikes in an oil refinery in Moscow, Russia. Social Media via REUTERS
Trump decried the war in Ukraine’s impact on diesel prices, which have been rising rapidly in the US as he called for an end to the war. REUTERS
“The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame!”
Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday. The US president has repeatedly called on Ukraine to stop long-range drone attacks on Russian oil facilities to allow the energy market to stabilize.
“Indeed, this Russian war against Ukraine and against common sense must be ended,” Zelensky posted on X in response to Trump. “From the very first minute, Ukraine has sought peace. We have already made dozens of diplomatic proposals on how to end this war with dignity, guarantee security, and prevent new Russian invasions.”
“Right now, there is a dialogue with President Trump and America.”
Average US diesel prices hit a record-setting $6.51 per gallon as of Monday morning, according to the latest data from AAA, up from $6.23 at this time last week. The average price of a gallon of regular gas stood at $4.48, up from $4.31 from one week ago.
While the US hasn’t allowed imports of Russian petroleum products since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the devastation at processing plants inside Russia has shrunk the availability of diesel worldwide and has had ripple effects in America.
US President Donald Trump listens as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting at Camp David in Thurmont, Maryland, Friday, July 31, 2026. REUTERS
“Diesel’s been impacted by a lot of factors, but the single biggest one there has been the Ukrainian destruction of Russian refineries,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNN’s “State of the Union” Sept. 6. “Russia was a meaningful exporter of diesel throughout the last several decades. Today, they have banned any exports of diesel. China has also dramatically throttled back exports of diesel. And, in fact, Russia is importing gasoline, where they have historically been a net exporter of that. So, the refining market has become very tight.”
Over the weekend, Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones at Russia, including hundreds aimed at Moscow, as voters turned out for the third and last day of a carefully orchestrated parliamentary election.
Ukraine strikes Moscow, Russia with a drone.
Russia responded by launching its own drones at the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, hitting partment blocks, a university and a shopping mall, among other sites, and wounding five people, Zelensky said on social media Monday.
A Russian drone also struck a home in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Monday, killing a 45-year-old woman and seriously injuring her 13-year-old son, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
“Russia is not backing down from its escalation and is sending many signals that it is ready to expand the war,” Zelensky said. “At the UN General Assembly, we will discuss how we can achieve peace through joint efforts.”
Ukraine strikes Moscow, Russia, causing a fire. Multiple warehouses and ports were targeted.
The Russian military overnight targeted Ukrainian logistics hubs, warehouses and ports, among other military-related sites, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday.
On Sunday, Zelensky revealed that he had spoken with Trump and teased that the upcoming meeting “could change a lot.”
“There is diplomatic momentum,” he posted on X. “We went through the key details thoroughly, and they saw the situation in Ukraine firsthand. The peace track is our number one priority.”
“There are ideas for de-escalation steps and for addressing fundamental security issues – energy security, food security, and the protection of human life. We are working together with the American team and are ready to take really serious steps.”
Ukraine strikes Moscow, Russia. The strikes targeted warehouses, ports and other military-related sites.
The high diesel prices, coupled with rising gasoline prices due to the war with Iran, have given Trump political headaches heading into the midterm elections.
Trump has taken aggressive measures to put downward pressure on gasoline prices, including by having the military escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but tackling diesel prices has proven more difficult.
With Post wires