From CNBC · Sam Meredith · · 1m 30s
Trump tells Ukraine to stop hitting Russian refineries
U.S. diesel just broke $6 a gallon, and the president says Ukraine's strikes on Russian fuel plants are part of the problem.
In brief
U.S. diesel just broke $6 a gallon, and the president says Ukraine's strikes on Russian fuel plants are part of the problem. The war's energy front has reached American pumps, and Washington is now asking Kyiv to spare the targets that hurt Moscow most. Originally reported by CNBC.
Trump draws a line
On a visit to Ireland, the president said Zelenskyy should keep striking Russia but leave its diesel production alone, arguing the attacks are hurting the world.
“He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia”
Why Kyiv started hitting fuel
After more than four and a half years of war, Ukraine escalated strikes on Russian refineries and logistics to make the fighting expensive for Moscow.
Russia is feeling it
The strikes have badly cut Russian refining capacity and triggered fuel shortages, pushing Moscow to extend its diesel export ban through the end of September.
Moscow says thank you
The Kremlin welcomed Trump's appeal. Ukraine has long called Russian refineries legitimate military targets, and fears another winter assault on its own power grid.
“Any call on the Kyiv regime to stop attacks on civilian economic infrastructure can only be welcomed”
Six dollars at the pump
U.S. diesel averaged $6.06 a gallon on Friday, a first. Truckers and farmers are paying about 63% more to fill up than they did a year ago.
Crude climbs too
Brent rose 3.6% to $108.41 and WTI hit $103.54 as U.S. and Iran fighting spread. Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia briefly shut the East-West pipeline.
The essence
The war's energy front has reached American pumps, and Washington is now asking Kyiv to spare the targets that hurt Moscow most.
