Andrea Innocenti In an unexpected statement during his visit to Ireland, US President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian diesel refineries . The request came at a time of global energy crisis , with diesel prices reaching a record $6 a gallon in the United States.
Trump, who is in Ireland for a two-day trip, made the remarks while at his golf course in Doonbeg, County Clare, where the Amgen Irish Open is being held . The president claimed that Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are causing a global diesel shortage , negatively impacting the global economy.
Trump's accusations and Ukraine's response
Zelenskyy must do one thing: stop targeting diesel fuel in Russia ,” Trump said during a break in his golf course tour. “ He can target other targets, but not diesel, because it’s causing a diesel shortage .”
The US president argued that the conflict with Iran, which began more than six months ago, was not responsible for the diesel price hike. “ This is not caused by the Middle East ,” Trump said. “ It's caused by what's happening between Russia and Ukraine. We've spoken to Mr. Zelenskyy about this. There are many other targets. Don't target diesel, because it's hurting the world .”
However, a senior European official familiar with the mediation talks between Moscow and Kyiv criticized the Trump administration, claiming it is looking for a scapegoat ahead of the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3. “ This administration is blaming Ukraine because they don't know what to do with their war in Iran ,” the official said.
International reactions and strategic implications
Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are considered a key part of Kyiv's strategy to make the Russian invasion economically unsustainable for Moscow. However, Trump's statements aren't the first to blame Ukrainian attacks for rising diesel prices. Last week, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CBS that " the diesel situation has been difficult because Russian refineries have sustained significant damage ."
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on “Fox & Friends” that the United States is experiencing an “ energy shock ” in part because “ Ukraine has decided it wants to blow up Russian energy and refining assets .”
The senior European official argued that if Washington wants Kyiv to stop attacking Russian refineries, it should persuade Moscow to cease attacks on the Ukrainian energy network. " An energy truce must be mutual ," the official stated. " Putin doesn't respect this administration. That's why a truce hasn't been initiated ."
The Russian position
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the Vesti news service on Saturday that Moscow will not suspend strikes during talks with Kyiv. " We are ready for negotiations, but the special military operation will not be suspended during the talks. We have already experienced this and drawn our own conclusions ," Lavrov said.
The situation remains complex, with implications that reach far beyond the borders of Russia and Ukraine, influencing global energy markets and international political dynamics.