The worsening global diesel supply crunch has emerged as a key issue ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York this week.
Trump has urged Zelensky to scale back Ukraine’s long-range attacks on Russian oil refineries, arguing that the strikes are aggravating shortages and contributing to rising diesel prices worldwide.
The Independent reported that Trump raised the refinery attacks during a phone conversation with Zelensky ahead of their planned meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The pressure comes as Ukrainian drone strikes have disrupted operations at several major Russian refineries. Reuters reported that six of Russia’s leading diesel-producing facilities account for about half of the country’s diesel output, with several forced to significantly reduce production or halt operations following attacks. Russia has responded with restrictions on fuel exports.
The wider supply squeeze has pushed diesel prices sharply higher, with US prices exceeding $6 per gallon for the first time this month. Reuters reported that analysts expect the global diesel shortage to persist into 2027, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East contributing to reduced supplies and historically low inventories.
Zelensky has confirmed that he will meet Trump in New York, describing the discussions as potentially significant for efforts to resolve the war. He said diplomatic momentum was building and identified peace, energy security, food security and protection of human life among the issues requiring attention.
The planned meeting comes against the backdrop of continued fighting, despite recent US efforts to secure an understanding between Russia and Ukraine on attacks against energy infrastructure. Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities have continued, including a major drone assault on the Moscow region that Russian authorities said damaged an oil refinery.
At the same time, Russia’s domestic political landscape has been reinforced by parliamentary election results showing the governing United Russia party with just under 58 per cent of the vote for the 225 seats allocated by party lists, according to the Central Election Commission, based on results from more than 95 per cent of polling stations.
With energy security now intertwined with the military confrontation, the Trump-Zelensky meeting is expected to put renewed focus on the consequences of attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure and the search for diplomatic steps towards ending the conflict.
