Trump Wants Ukraine to Stop Striking Russian Refineries. What Would That Mean for the War?

U.S.

President Donald Trump attends the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Co Clare, during his trip to the Republic of Ireland on Sept.

13, 2026. —Liam McBurney—PA Images President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russia's diesel fuel infrastructure and refineries, claiming the attacks are contributing to a fuel shortage .

“Mr.

Zelenskyy has to do one thing.

He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump told reporters Sunday in Ireland.

“Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage.” The request asks Ukraine to curtail one of its principal means of imposing pressure on Moscow.

Yet energy-market data indicates that the much larger source of the global diesel squeeze stems from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, raising questions about how much Trump’s proposal would even impact the shortage—and what it could cost Kyiv.

Read More: Zelenskyy Faces Pressure to Hold Elections.

What Stands in the Way? Though the U.S.-Iran war has dramatically limited the distribution of oil since February, Trump said that it is not responsible for current shortages.

“This isn’t done by the Middle East,” Trump said.

“This is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine.

So we spoke to Mr.

Zelenskyy about it.” Trump’s comments appeared to be referring to last week’s mediation efforts which saw U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visiting Russia and Ukraine to discuss a path toward peace.