US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to stop striking Russian diesel infrastructure, saying the attacks are contributing to global fuel shortages.
Key facts
- Trump asked Zelenskyy to stop hitting Russian diesel supplies.
- Trump says the attacks are contributing to global fuel shortages.
- The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera on 13 September 2026.
US President Donald Trump has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel infrastructure, according to Al Jazeera. Trump said Ukraine’s attacks on those facilities are contributing to global fuel shortages.
The intervention places pressure on Kyiv over a category of strikes that has become a feature of its wider war effort against Russia. According to Al Jazeera, the US president framed the issue in terms of its impact on worldwide fuel supply rather than the battlefield.
By focusing on diesel infrastructure, Trump linked the conflict directly to the global energy market, where disruptions to refining and distribution can push prices higher and tighten availability for consumers and businesses.
Al Jazeera reported the remarks on 13 September 2026. The outlet’s account centres on Trump’s message to Zelenskyy and his assessment that the strikes are feeding into fuel shortages beyond the region.
The source text does not detail how Kyiv responded to the request, nor does it specify which facilities have been targeted or the scale of any resulting shortages. Further details were not provided in the reporting available.
Why it matters
Diesel is central to transport, freight and industry worldwide, so disruptions to major supplies can ripple into higher prices and tighter availability far from the conflict. A public call from the US president for Ukraine to change its targeting also signals tension over how the war intersects with global energy markets.
Frequently asked questions
What did Trump ask Zelenskyy to do?
According to Al Jazeera, Trump asked Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian diesel infrastructure.
Why does Trump want the strikes to stop?
Trump said Ukraine's attacks on Russian diesel infrastructure are contributing to global fuel shortages, according to Al Jazeera.
How did Ukraine respond?
The available source text does not report Ukraine's response to the request.