Former President Donald Trump attributed the recent surge in diesel prices to Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries and urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to halt such strikes. Speaking Sunday at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Trump emphasized that the increase in diesel costs is tied to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine rather than disruptions in the Middle East.

“The diesel fuel shortages are due to what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said. He called on Zelensky to “stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” warning that the strikes are contributing to rising global fuel prices.

According to recent data from AAA, the national average price for diesel in the United States reached $6.06 per gallon, marking a historic high. The previous peak of $5.82 was recorded in June 2022, shortly after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, while prices were below $4 per gallon as recently as March.

Although passenger vehicles primarily use gasoline, diesel is critical to the broader economy, powering commercial trucks, agricultural equipment, trains, and large ships. Consequently, fluctuations in diesel prices can quickly impact the cost of a wide range of consumer goods.

Ukraine has intensified its efforts in recent months to target Russian oil and gas infrastructure, aiming to weaken Moscow’s primary revenue streams. These attacks prompted Russia to impose a ban on diesel exports, exacerbating global supply constraints. Further complicating matters, Iran and allied groups have also struck refineries in the Gulf region, diminishing production capacity there.

Industry reports indicate that global diesel supply has dropped by approximately 8%, while U.S. refineries are operating near full capacity at 98%, limiting their ability to offset the supply shortfall.

Trump, who said he has communicated with Zelensky, suggested that Kyiv should focus on “plenty of other targets” and avoid facilities processing diesel fuel, stating, “Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting the world.”

Ukrainian officials maintain that their strikes on oil infrastructure are intended to disrupt Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its military operations in Ukraine. This reflects ongoing strategic debates over the economic and humanitarian impacts of targeting energy assets amid the conflict.