In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a large number of Russian refineries producing diesel fuel have been "undermined and at least temporarily put out of operation," attributing the damage to the war with Ukraine.
"Russia, unfortunately, has lost control over its diesel industry," Trump said. He added that, according to his information, 25,000 people are dying in the war every month, "mostly soldiers," and called the situation a disgrace.
Over the past year Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russian refineries, including ones located far from the border. After the attacks, the plants halt operations because of damage to their units.
According to Meduza, this has led to waves of fuel crisis and gasoline shortages in most Russian regions. At the same time, a crisis is also unfolding globally because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one fifth of oil exports passed before the new war in the Middle East.
According to Axios, Trump has repeatedly urged Volodymyr Zelensky to refrain from striking Russian facilities that produce diesel fuel. "There are many other targets. Don't hit diesel. It harms [the whole] world," Trump said. An Axios source claims that during a phone call with Zelensky on September 20 the word "diesel" was mentioned many times.
Trump's post appeared on the eve of an announced meeting with Zelensky. The head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service and Kyiv's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, told Axios that the leaders' meeting could take place on Tuesday. The agreement on it was reached during a phone call between the US and Ukrainian presidents.
In recent days Trump signed a bill on "hell sanctions" against Russia. The State Department approved the largest arms supply deal to Ukraine of Trump's second term, including anti-aircraft munitions to intercept Russian missiles and drones.