Washington: US President Donald Trump has claimed that Russian diesel refineries have suffered major damage following Ukrainian strikes, saying Moscow has lost control of its diesel oil industry. He also called for an end to the ongoing war, describing it as “ridiculous and never-ending”.
In a post on Truth Social after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump said several Russian diesel refineries had been damaged and were temporarily unable to operate.
His remarks followed a large Ukrainian drone attack over the weekend, involving more than 1,600 drones that reportedly travelled nearly 280 miles into Russia, hitting oil refineries in Moscow, causing fires and disrupting operations.
Trump is scheduled to meet Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. He has previously urged Ukraine to stop long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities.
Meanwhile, diesel prices in the United States have climbed sharply. According to AAA data, the average price reached $6.51 per gallon on Monday, compared with $6.23 the previous week. Regular gasoline also rose to $4.48 per gallon.
The damage to Russian processing facilities has reduced global diesel supplies, with Energy Secretary Christopher Wright identifying Ukrainian attacks on refineries as a major factor.
Zelensky said his upcoming meeting with Trump “could change a lot.”
