Trump's diesel problem gives Moscow a new opening

Trump wants Ukraine to stop hitting Russian refineries, the Kremlin is very happy about that

Donald Trump has suddenly found himself facing an awkward combination of soaring diesel prices, a global fuel squeeze and an increasingly difficult Ukraine war — and his latest intervention is putting the spotlight firmly on Kyiv.

Trump has urged Volodymyr Zelensky to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and diesel facilities, arguing that the strikes are helping drive up fuel prices around the world.

“The diesel is being driven up by the fact that it's having a hard time coming out of Russia,” Trump said, insisting that the problem was being caused by the Russia-Ukraine war rather than the wider Middle East crisis.

The timing is politically sensitive, with US diesel prices recently passing $6 a gallon for the first time.

Ukraine, however, has been targeting Russian refineries as part of its campaign to damage Moscow's ability to finance and supply its war machine. The attacks have had a measurable effect: Reuters reports that six major Russian diesel-producing refineries, accounting for roughly half of the country's diesel production, have suffered major disruption. Moscow has responded by restricting fuel exports in an attempt to protect supplies at home.

But there is another problem for Trump's argument.

The global diesel shortage isn't being caused by Ukraine alone.

The war involving Iran and the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz have also badly tightened energy markets. Reuters estimates that the combined disruption to Russian and Gulf diesel exports since February has removed around 1.6 million barrels a day from the market. Even an energy truce between Russia and Ukraine is therefore unlikely to produce an immediate return to cheap diesel.

And then Moscow stepped in

The Kremlin was quick to welcome Trump's intervention.

Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov described an energy ceasefire as a “very good idea” — but then attached conditions, including safer shipping and the lifting of sanctions on Russia.

That is where the diplomatic danger for Kyiv becomes apparent.

Moscow can publicly welcome Trump's proposal while simultaneously using the fuel crisis to argue that sanctions against Russia are part of the problem. Peskov has already shifted the conversation away from refinery damage and towards Russian access to international petroleum markets.

Trump subsequently claimed that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure.

But Kyiv said no formal agreement had been reached.

Zelensky instead described it as a US proposal for a mutual halt and said Ukraine would support it if Washington could ensure that Russia genuinely stopped attacking Ukrainian infrastructure.

Events then rather spoiled the announcement.

Russia and Ukraine continued attacking energy targets. Russia struck Ukrainian fuel and port infrastructure while Ukraine reported another strike on a Russian refinery.

A very awkward balancing act

The episode leaves Trump trying to solve two problems at once: keep fuel prices under control at home while restarting diplomacy with Moscow and Kyiv.

For Ukraine, the dilemma is much harsher.

Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue, while Kyiv is being asked to stop attacking the Russian facilities that supply Moscow's military and generate energy revenues.

And for the Kremlin, the sudden focus on diesel prices provides something it badly needs — a way to turn the economic consequences of attacks on Russian refineries into an argument for easing pressure on Russia.

The result is an extraordinary new front in the Ukraine war: the battle over Russian fuel is no longer just about the battlefield. It is now reaching American fuel pumps — and the midterm election calendar.

CREDIT CNN / Reuters

Odd...Trump claimed 53 times he would stop the Ukraine war within 24 hours of being elected.....or even before he was elected.......I wonder what went wrong?

Ukraine has every right to hit Russia's diesel dumps, Russia attacked Ukraine

Donald does not seem to realize that, diesel is used by their tanks and other

military vehicle's ,so hit them hard, the times that Donald has sided with

Putin ,makes him look like an Russian asset...something's not right..

regards worgeordie