US President Donald Trump is expected to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries when the two leaders meet in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, as disruption to fuel supplies pushes global diesel prices to record levels. Visit NewDailyPrime.news for continuing coverage
Trump has already publicly called on Zelensky to stop attacks on Russian facilities producing diesel, arguing that the strikes are worsening a global fuel shortage. Ukraine, however, says Russian refineries are legitimate military targets because the country’s energy industry helps finance and supply Moscow’s war effort.
The disagreement is expected to feature in talks between Trump and Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader confirmed that they had agreed to meet in New York during the UN gathering. Peace negotiations, security and attacks on energy infrastructure are also expected to be discussed.
Trump tells Zelensky: stop hitting Russian diesel
Trump publicly raised the issue during a visit to Ireland earlier this month, saying Ukraine should find targets other than Russian diesel facilities.
“Mr. Zelenskiy has to do one thing: He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump told journalists.
He added that attacks on diesel infrastructure were “hurting the world”.
Ukraine has carried out a sustained campaign of long-range drone attacks against Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities.
Reuters reported that half of Russia’s six leading diesel-producing refineries had either sharply reduced production or stopped operating following attacks in September. Russia has also restricted fuel exports as it tries to protect domestic supplies.
Kyiv argues that the facilities form part of Russia’s ability to wage war. Ukraine itself has faced repeated Russian attacks on its power and energy infrastructure since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The dispute intensified after another drone attack hit Moscow’s oil refinery on Sunday. Reuters reported that crude processing at the facility was halted after fires damaged major production units. Russian authorities attributed the attack to Ukraine, while Kyiv had not publicly commented on responsibility when the report was published.
Global diesel prices hit record levels
The economic consequences now stretch well beyond Russia and Ukraine.
Global diesel prices have reached record highs as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East disrupt refinery production and exports from some of the world’s important suppliers.
Reuters reported on Monday that European diesel futures had more than doubled from their level at the start of 2026, while US retail diesel prices had moved above $6 a gallon for the first time. American inventories also remain well below normal seasonal levels.
Ukraine’s strikes are only part of the problem.
The war involving Iran has also disrupted supplies from the Middle East. The International Energy Agency said exports of diesel and gasoil from Gulf producers had fallen sharply, while damage and restrictions affecting Russia had further tightened the market.
That means stopping Ukrainian refinery attacks would not automatically bring fuel prices back down. Reuters analysis has warned that the global diesel shortage could persist into 2027 because supplies are already constrained and refineries in several regions have limited capacity to increase production.
Why higher diesel prices matter to Nigerians abroad
For Nigerians living in Britain, Europe and the United States, the immediate concern is not only what motorists pay at filling stations.
Diesel is heavily used by lorries, agricultural machinery, ships and other parts of the supply chain. Sustained increases can therefore raise haulage, farming, manufacturing and distribution costs, creating wider inflationary pressure on food and other goods.
The impact will vary between countries because retail fuel prices also depend on taxation, exchange rates, domestic stocks and government policy. A rise in global diesel prices does not automatically translate into the same increase everywhere.
For Nigerians abroad who send money home, continued increases in living costs could also put additional pressure on household budgets.
Trump pushes for energy ceasefire
Trump has been seeking an agreement that would stop Russia and Ukraine attacking each other’s energy infrastructure.
He said earlier this month that the two sides had agreed to an energy ceasefire, although Zelensky subsequently said he needed more detail and continuing attacks have raised questions about whether any such arrangement is operating effectively.
The New York meeting therefore comes at a difficult point: Trump wants attacks on Russian diesel facilities reduced, while Ukraine continues to argue that degrading Russia’s energy industry is part of its defence against Moscow’s invasion.
What readers should know: Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet in New York with Russian refinery attacks likely to be among the issues discussed. Trump says the strikes are worsening global diesel shortages, while Ukraine says Russian energy facilities are legitimate wartime targets. Diesel prices are at record levels, but the shortage is being driven by several factors — including disruptions in both Russia and the Middle East — so ending one source of disruption would not necessarily solve the wider fuel crisis.
Visit NewDailyPrime.news for continuing coverage
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