Trump urges Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday to halt strikes on Russian diesel fuel infrastructure, claiming the attacks are causing a global fuel shortage. The remarks, made at the Irish Open golf tournament in Doonbeg, Ireland, represent a direct public pressure campaign on a key Ukrainian military strategy. "Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," Trump told reporters. "Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he's causing a shortage of diesel." Trump stated that Washington had raised the issue directly with Zelensky and attributed the current global diesel shortage primarily to the Russia-Ukraine conflict rather than disruptions in the Middle East. The comments come as the U.S. national average price for diesel exceeded $6 per gallon for the first time on September 11, according to price tracker GasBuddy. Diesel is a critical fuel for trucks, trains, ships, and agricultural equipment, giving supply disruptions broad economic implications.