President Donald Trump used his stop in Ireland on Sunday to address a growing concern over the war in Ukraine: the targeting of Russian diesel fuel by Ukrainian drones. Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure are “hurting the world” and asked him to focus on other military objectives while leaving diesel production untouched.
Trump’s call for restraint
“Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia. Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel,” the President said. He added that the shortage is not caused by the Middle East, but by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Why diesel matters
Russia is the world’s second‑largest exporter of diesel, behind the United States, according to marine‑intelligence firm Kpler. Disruptions to that supply have ripple effects on global energy markets, contributing to record‑high U.S. diesel prices that topped $6 per gallon for the first time on Friday.
Broader energy context
The President noted that the war in Iran, which involves the United States, Iran and Israel, is also driving up global oil prices and creating uncertainty at the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for worldwide oil shipments. By urging restraint on diesel attacks, the Trump administration aims to stabilize fuel markets and protect American consumers.
Escalation on the ground
While Trump made his appeal, both sides of the conflict continued to intensify air operations. A Russian drone struck a gas station in the north‑west Ukrainian town of Yahodyn near the Polish border, prompting a brief shutdown of the crossing. The station was back in operation by 10 a.m. local time.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned that the upgraded, jet‑engine‑equipped drones represent a new escalation that threatens not only Ukraine but also neighboring NATO members.
Railway attacks raise alarm
Ukrainian Railways reported that a Russian drone hit a passenger‑train locomotive two kilometres from the Polish border. The agency suggested the drone may have deliberately targeted a train carrying European diplomats, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former CIA director David Petraeus. Johnson condemned the strike as “random and senseless” and praised Ukrainian rail workers as “absolutely heroic.”
Swedish former Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who was traveling nearby, confirmed a drone strike on a train just minutes after his own passed the border crossing.
Ukrainian response
Ukrainian officials said they have fired more than 2,000 drones in the past week, many of them faster, jet‑powered models that are harder to intercept. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces also claimed a strike on the TANECO refinery in Russia’s Tatarstan republic, an attack that reportedly killed two civilians.
International vigilance
NATO allies remain on high alert for stray drones. Lithuania temporarily closed Vilnius airport after a suspected drone sighting, later identified as birds. Similar alerts in Poland were also dismissed as avian activity.
Administration’s stance
The Trump administration views President Trump’s appeal as a responsible effort to protect global energy stability while still supporting Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty. By urging a focus on strategic military targets rather than fuel infrastructure, the administration seeks to balance the fight against aggression with the practical needs of consumers worldwide.
President Trump’s message underscores the administration’s broader commitment to safeguarding American families from rising fuel costs and ensuring that U.S. energy markets remain resilient amid foreign conflicts.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
