The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, on Sunday asked Ukraine to stop its attacks on Russian diesel fuel resources, while Moscow is facing a growing fuel crisis. Drone attacks by Ukraine have damaged several Russian oil refineries, and Moscow officials have extended the ban on diesel exports until the end of September.
Trump said during the Irish Open golf tournament at his golf course in County Clare: "Zelensky needs to do one thing: he needs to stop the attacks on diesel fuel in Russia. Let him attack other targets but not diesel fuel, because he is causing a shortage of diesel fuel."
Ukraine's efforts to increase economic costs for Russia
In recent months, Kyiv has continued a series of hard attacks against Russian oil facilities, as the war between the two countries has continued for more than four years. Zelensky said in the Yalta strategy in Kyiv: "Ukraine is capable of responding to any action by Russia. Russia knows that if it attacks our energy system in winter, it will receive a similar response. If they cause blackouts, we will try to respond to them in the same way."
Officials announced on Sunday that Ukrainian forces have attacked oil refineries in the Krasnodar region and the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia. Ukraine has so far attacked dozens of Russian oil targets, with reports indicating over 60 attacks on at least 24 refineries.
The aim of these attacks is to increase the economic costs of the war for Russia, one of the world's largest oil producers, and also to reduce the supply of military fuel for the country. This comes as Russia's frequent attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have continued throughout this conflict.
In Russian cities, long lines for gasoline and empty streets have been reported, as the population struggles with fuel shortages. Trump attempted to deflect accusations that the U.S. war with Iran has caused rising energy prices, stating: "This problem is not because of the Middle East, but because of what is happening in Russia and Ukraine."
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the conflict remains in a bitter stalemate. Trump, who claimed during his presidential campaign that he could end the war in 24 hours, has not succeeded in mediating an end to this conflict.
