President Trump publicly called for an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine on September 21, 2026, following a series of attacks by Ukraine on Russian energy facilities that have led to increased diesel fuel prices. Trump stated on Truth Social, "Russia has unfortunately lost control of its Diesel Oil Industry due to its War with Ukraine," and noted that many Russian diesel refineries have been damaged and are temporarily out of operation. He described the ongoing conflict as "ridiculous" and emphasized the global suffering caused by the war, citing a death toll of approximately 25,000 people per month, mostly soldiers.
Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly. He has previously urged Ukraine to cease long-range drone strikes on Russian oil facilities to stabilize the energy market. As of September 21, average diesel prices in the US reached $6.51 per gallon, an increase from $6.23 the previous week, while regular gasoline prices rose from $4.31 to $4.48 per gallon.
Despite the US banning imports of Russian petroleum products since February 2022, the destruction of Russian processing plants has reduced global diesel availability, impacting prices in the US. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted that the destruction of Russian refineries has been a significant factor in the current diesel market tightness. Over the weekend, Ukraine launched over 1,000 drones at Russia, targeting Moscow, while Russia retaliated with drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, resulting in casualties.
Zelensky stated that Russia is escalating its military actions and expressed hope for peace discussions at the UN General Assembly. He mentioned that there are diplomatic efforts underway to address security issues, including energy and food security. The rising diesel and gasoline prices are creating political challenges for Trump as the midterm elections approach, and he has attempted to alleviate gasoline prices through military measures, although reducing diesel prices remains challenging.