Trump Says Russia and Ukraine Agree to Halt Energy Strikes
Update: U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to target each other’s energy facilities, hours after he urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian diesel facilities. It was not immediately clear whether Moscow and Kyiv had separately confirmed the arrangement described by Trump.
Trump and Zelenskyy are back at the center of the Russia-Ukraine war after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel fuel, saying Ukraine had other targets it could strike and that attacks on diesel were “hurting the world.”
Trump told reporters during a visit to Ireland that he had spoken with Zelenskyy about the issue. His comments came as Ukraine has intensified long-range attacks on Russia’s energy sector, including oil refineries.
Trump and Zelenskyy: Washington Calls for Halt to Strikes on Russian Diesel
Trump said: “We talked to Mr. Zelenskyy about it. There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel. It’s hurting the world.”
The U.S. president’s comments followed a wave of long-range Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries in recent months. The strikes have reduced Russian fuel production and triggered gasoline shortages in the country, according to Reuters.
Ukraine, whose energy facilities have repeatedly come under Russian attack, says Russian oil refineries are legitimate military targets.
Ukraine Targets Russia’s Energy Sector
Ukraine has increasingly targeted energy facilities inside Russia with long-range drones in recent months as the war between the two countries continues.
The refinery attacks have affected Russian fuel production. Moscow has also lowered its oil production forecast for this year to a 17-year low and cut its fuel export forecasts for 2026 and 2027, according to a government draft reviewed by Reuters.
The developments come as Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange long-range strikes. Recent fighting has included a sharp escalation in the drone war between Russia and Ukraine, with more attacks reaching targets far from the front lines.
U.S. Diesel Prices Top $6 a Gallon
Trump’s comments came as diesel prices rose in the United States. The national average topped $6 a gallon for the first time, according to data from fuel-price tracker GasBuddy cited by Reuters.
Diesel is widely used by trucks, trains, ships and agricultural equipment, meaning higher prices can affect transportation costs and other sectors of the economy.
Trump linked the diesel shortage to developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, while global energy markets are also facing other supply disruptions.
Russian Strike Near Polish Border
In a separate battlefield development, Russia struck a truck near Ukraine’s border with Poland, according to Polish and Ukrainian officials, in the latest attack close to the territory of a NATO member.
Polish border guards said the Dorohusk-Yahodyn crossing briefly suspended operations after the strike, which occurred about 800 meters from Poland. Operations later resumed.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it targeted infrastructure used to transport military cargo from Europe into western Ukraine. Kyiv relies on border crossings with Poland, Romania and Moldova for trade and the transportation of military aid.
Strikes on Energy Infrastructure Continue
Trump’s request comes as Russia and Ukraine continue to target energy and transportation infrastructure. Kyiv says its strikes on Russian refineries are a response to continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.
Moscow, meanwhile, accuses Ukraine of targeting civilian and industrial facilities inside Russia as the two sides continue military operations and long-range strikes.
Sources
- Reuters – Trump tells Ukraine’s Zelenskiy to stop hitting Russian diesel
- Reuters – Russian strike near the Polish border
