Trump Rushes to Address Diesel and Fertilizer Price Spike...Pressures Russia to End War, Seeks Belarus Deal

After Russian Oil Refineries Attacked, Trump Says "End the Endless War"
No Promise of Military Support Despite Houthi Threats to Shipping Routes
Considers Importing Potassium Fertilizer from Belarus Instead of Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Ukraine after international diesel prices surged following attacks on Russian oil refineries. He is also considering importing potassium fertilizer from Belarus, a Russian ally, instead of Canada, in an effort to lower agricultural production costs.

U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House

In the Middle East, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are expanding their presence near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical oil shipping route, but the U.S. remains cautious about direct military intervention. These moves are seen as attempts to ease the volatility in global supply chains, which affect oil and food prices, ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November.

On September 21 (local time), President Trump stated on Truth Social, "Russia has unfortunately lost control over the diesel industry due to the war with Ukraine," and "many diesel refineries have been blown up, causing at least temporary shutdowns."

He continued, "This ridiculous and endless war in Ukraine must end," adding, "Twenty-five thousand people, including a large number of soldiers, are dying every month, and the whole world is suffering."

As Ukraine intensifies its attacks on Russian oil refineries and Russia halts diesel exports, the global supply of refined oil products is shrinking rapidly. On September 19, the average consumer price for diesel fuel in the U.S. surpassed $6.50 per gallon for the first time.

The reduction in Russian refined oil supply has further fueled price hikes, especially as Middle Eastern oil supplies were already constrained due to the war between the U.S. and Iran. Since diesel is widely used for freight trucks, agricultural machinery, ships, and trains in the U.S., the price surge could raise transportation costs and, in turn, food prices.

On September 22, President Trump is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York during the United Nations General Assembly. Both sides are likely to discuss the issue of halting mutual attacks on Russian oil facilities and Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Instability surrounding oil shipping routes in the Middle East also continues. Citing multiple sources, a foreign media outlet reported that President Trump spoke by phone with Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi the previous day, discussing the Houthi rebel advance near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.