Kremlin welcomes Trump's call on Ukraine to halt strikes on diesel facilities - Reuters

**Kremlin Welcomes Trump’s Call on Ukraine to Halt Strikes on Diesel Facilities**

*Washington, D.C.* – The Kremlin praised a recent statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he urged Ukraine to stop targeting Russian diesel refineries. In a televised interview, Trump argued that the attacks were “creating a shortage of diesel that is hurting ordinary people,” and claimed that both Moscow and Kyiv had already reached an informal understanding not to strike each other’s energy infrastructure. The Russian foreign ministry responded by thanking the United States for “recognizing the importance of preserving civilian fuel supplies” and called the remarks “a constructive step toward de‑escalation in the conflict.”

The demand from Trump comes amid a surge in U.S. diesel production that has pushed domestic prices to record lows, prompting concerns in the United States about potential market distortions. Analysts note that while American diesel inventories have swelled, the global market remains strained by the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has disrupted supply chains and heightened demand for fuel in Europe. Ukrainian officials, however, have dismissed Trump’s comments as “misguided” and reiterated that strikes on Russian energy assets are a legitimate response to Moscow’s continued military aggression.

The diplomatic implications of Trump’s appeal are uncertain. While Moscow welcomed the suggestion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not indicated any intention to alter the current targeting policy, emphasizing that any decision about strikes must be based on military necessity and the broader goal of weakening Russia’s war‑fighting capability. Observers note that the United States’ official stance, articulated by the State Department, continues to support Ukraine’s right to self‑defence while urging all parties to avoid actions that could endanger civilian populations.