According to a report from Zee News, former US President Donald Trump has allegedly called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt drone strikes against Russian oil refineries. The report suggests that these strikes, which have targeted key energy infrastructure within Russian territory, are contributing to rising diesel prices in the United States ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
While the conflict in Ukraine has had documented impacts on global energy markets, and the broader geopolitical situation involving Iran has further strained oil supply chains, there has been no official confirmation from the Trump campaign or the Ukrainian government regarding such a directive. Trump has publicly stated his intention to bring a swift end to the war if re-elected, often criticizing the current administration's handling of the conflict, but he holds no official executive authority to issue orders to foreign heads of state.
Energy analysts have noted that attacks on Russian refineries can indeed lead to volatility in global fuel prices by reducing the supply of refined petroleum products. However, the connection between specific drone strikes and US domestic diesel prices is a subject of ongoing debate among economists, with many pointing to a complex array of factors including OPEC+ production quotas, domestic refining capacity, and global demand. As of now, the claim remains unverified by independent international news agencies.
The claim that Donald Trump has 'ordered' Ukraine to stop striking Russian refineries is not corroborated by any major international wire service. While Trump has frequently commented on the war and his desire to end it, there is no evidence of an official directive or a confirmed private communication of this nature, making the report highly speculative.
No corroborating trusted sources found.
Original report: Zee News