President Trump has called on Ukraine to cease strikes against Russian oil refineries and diesel production or transportation facilities, arguing that these attacks are tightening the global diesel supply. Data from the American Automobile Association shows the average U.S. diesel price climbed to $6.204 per gallon on September 13th, a record high since the organization began tracking the figure.

Speaking to reporters on September 13th at the Irish Open in Donegal, Ireland, Trump stated that Ukrainian President Zelensky must stop disrupting Russia's diesel supply infrastructure. He said he has already discussed this matter with Zelensky, adding that Ukraine could select other targets but should not continue hitting diesel facilities, as such operations are impacting worldwide markets. Trump primarily attributes the current diesel shortage to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, data from the International Energy Agency indicates that damage to Russia's refining system is just one factor behind the tightening global diesel supply, with disruptions to Middle Eastern oil deliveries also compressing the flow of diesel and gasoil on international markets.

U.S. diesel prices have hit an all-time high, with the AAA reporting a national average of $6.204 per gallon on September 13th, up from $6.160 the previous day. The price has risen sharply in recent weeks, standing at $5.897 a week earlier, $5.404 a month ago, and $3.698 a year ago. Diesel is widely used in road freight, agricultural machinery, railways, and some marine transport, so persistent price increases could raise logistics and farming costs, eventually feeding through to consumer goods prices. Current public data is insufficient to fully attribute the U.S. diesel price surge to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries.

Russian refining and fuel exports continue to face significant disruptions. In recent months, Ukraine has expanded its long-range attacks on Russian oil and gas installations. On September 13th, Ukrainian forces claimed to have hit the main processing units and storage tanks at the Slavyansk refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region. Russian local authorities confirmed damage to an industrial facility and an oil pipeline but did not verify all details of the Ukrainian statement. Ukraine also launched a drone attack on an oil industrial zone near Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan, where local officials reported one drone crashed, killing two civilians, with a subsequent fire breaking out at an unnamed enterprise.

Zelensky has publicly stated that Ukraine will continue deep strikes on Russian refining and military production sites, maintaining that Russia's oil industry funds its war effort and directly supplies military fuel, making such facilities legitimate targets. Meanwhile, supply from both Russia and the Gulf is declining. The International Energy Agency's September oil market report shows Gulf countries' net exports of diesel and gasoil averaged about 390,000 barrels per day in August, only slightly more than a quarter of their pre-Iran-war levels. The agency noted that intensive Ukrainian attacks have hampered Russia's refining operations, bringing its fuel exports nearly to a standstill and widening the supply gap. In February, Russia and the Gulf nations together accounted for roughly 45% of global seaborne diesel and gasoil trade. These figures indicate that damage to Russian refineries is pressuring the international diesel market, but the sharp drop in Gulf exports is equally a critical factor behind the tight supply. Following Trump's request for an end to the strikes, Zelensky has not yet publicly announced any change in policy regarding attacks on Russian energy facilities.