US President Donald Trump has blamed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky for soaring diesel prices in the United States, arguing that Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure are contributing to a global supply squeeze.
The average US diesel price climbed above $6 a gallon on Friday, setting a new record after rising from about $5.85 the previous week. Prices are now roughly 60% higher than a year ago, when diesel averaged around $3.71 a gallon.
Energy analysts have largely attributed the sharp increase to turmoil in the Middle East and renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, which has driven crude oil prices higher. Trump, however, rejected that explanation during a visit to Ireland, instead pointing to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had raised the matter directly with Zelensky and urged Ukraine to stop targeting Russian facilities involved in diesel production.
“Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump said. “Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel.”
Trump maintained that the current price surge was not primarily the result of developments in the Middle East.
Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russian refineries and other energy infrastructure in recent months. Those attacks have contributed to fuel shortages and higher prices in parts of Russia, although the most pronounced disruption has reportedly been to gasoline supplies rather than diesel.
Moscow has responded to domestic supply pressures by restricting exports of gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products. Restrictions on diesel exports were introduced earlier this year, while additional measures affecting gasoline producers followed in July. The current diesel export restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until the end of September, although they could be extended.
The sharp increase in diesel prices could have wider consequences for US consumers. Diesel is essential to agriculture, freight transport and rail networks, making its cost an important component of food production and distribution.
With farms, trucks and trains heavily dependent on the fuel, sustained record prices could ultimately feed through into higher transportation costs and further increases in consumer prices.
Image credit: Irfan Syahmi
The good news is this is just a blip in the radar screen
Short term pain for long term gain
Prices will fall to $3 a gallon right after the primaries
Relax go home put the feet up have a cup of tea and turn on the Telmudvision
Trust Don
He cares
Some dumber than dirt people will buy this double douchebag
Which includes the $5000 buy back
Zelensky a convenient distraction unpalatable past his shelf life and usefulness
The writing is on the wall