Russia welcomes Trump’s push to halt Ukraine strikes on diesel facilities

Russia has responded to US President Donald Trump’s push to curb Ukraine strikes on Moscow’s diesel-producing facilities.

On Sunday, Trump called on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel infrastructure as the attacks were responsible for triggering a fuel shortage that is “hurting the world.”

“Mr Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia. Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel,” Trump said during a visit to Ireland.

Besides the Russia-Ukraine war, the months-long instability in the Middle Eastern region is causing upheaval in global energy markets.

In response to Trump’s call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “

"Any call on the Kyiv regime ‌to ⁠stop attacks on civilian economic infrastructure can only be welcomed.”

Addressing the global energy market deterioration, Peskov attributed the worsening conditions primarily to instability and renewed escalation in the Persian Gulf.

He added that the newly implemented diesel export ban is designed to strengthen and stabilize the domestic market within Russia.

In recent months, Ukraine launched long-distance drone attacks on oil refineries, reducing Russia’s fuel production and triggering gasoline shortages.

Ukraine states that by striking Russian refineries, it aims to increase the financial burden on Moscow for sustaining its ongoing invasion.