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President Donald Trump has a blunt message for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Kyiv continues targeting Russia: Stop hitting its diesel refineries.
Trump made the remarks Sunday while attending the Irish Open at his golf club in Doonbeg, Ireland, after a reporter asked whether he had spoken with Zelenskyy following a recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump told reporters.
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FILE – President Donald Trump said he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the issue, noting there are other targets the country could focus on. (Getty Images)
Trump said Ukraine could continue pursuing other targets inside Russia but urged Zelenskyy to steer clear of the country’s diesel infrastructure.
“Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel because he’s causing a shortage of diesel,” Trump said. “This isn’t done by the Middle East. This is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine.”
The president said he had already spoken directly with Zelenskyy about the issue.
“So we spoke to Mr. Zelensky about it. There are plenty of other targets,” Trump said. “Don’t hit diesel fuel because that’s hurting the world. We don’t want him to hit diesel fuel. He’s hitting diesel refineries.”
FILE – Trump said the military strikes are exacerbating a global diesel shortage. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Trump’s remarks come as Ukraine has targeted Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure with long-range strikes, part of Kyiv’s effort to hamper an industry that provides revenue and fuel for Moscow’s war effort. Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.
The strikes have put pressure on Russia’s fuel supplies, prompting rationing in parts of the country and a Russian ban on diesel exports in July. The disruption has also added pressure to global diesel supplies, which have faced additional strain amid reduced oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Diesel prices in the U.S. climbed above an average of $6 per gallon on Friday, reaching a record high.
FILE – Diesel prices reached a record high in the U.S. on Friday. (Rebecca Noble/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Russia has intensified its aerial attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, including strikes involving ballistic missiles and drones, while Ukraine has continued targeting sites inside Russia.
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Russian and Ukrainian officials reported another round of large-scale drone attacks overnight into Sunday, with casualties reported on both sides.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.