(KYIV) – Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a mutual halt on strikes against each other’s energy infrastructure, according to a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump said Ukraine had agreed not to strike Russian energy facilities and that Russia had agreed to do the same. He made the comment on his Truth Social network.
The U.S. president also stated that the rise in global diesel fuel prices was primarily caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine, not by tensions involving Iran.
In a related development, Trump confirmed he had called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop attacks on diesel fuel reserves inside Russia, saying they were causing a worldwide shortage of the fuel.
“The problem I have with Ukraine and Russia is that there is a big increase in prices with diesel fuel,” Trump said. “A significant part of it comes from Russia. And Russian facilities are being hit by Ukraine. And I asked President Zelenskyy not to strike diesel fuel production facilities, the refineries.”
He added that “this is a matter that harms the world, we have to stop.”
Related Developments
The call for a halt to strikes on Russian energy infrastructure comes amid a wider escalation in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has shut down an oil pipeline as Houthi forces tighten their grip on Red Sea shipping.
Yemen is in a state of civil war between the national government, supported by Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, and Houthi rebels supported by Iran. Houthi forces control western Yemen near the Red Sea and are capturing territory, moving south to control the Bab al Mandeb choke point to fire on tankers and create a blockade.
Yemeni national forces have largely fled, with only about 20 percent of soldiers present. Approximately 80 percent of soldiers were reportedly fake, with fictitious names allowing commanders to steal money, according to the reports.
An Iraqi militia blew up the Saudi pipeline that runs east to west, with oil flooding the area. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, Houthis are closing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and Iraqi militias have blown up the pipeline Saudi Arabia uses to reach the Suez Canal.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called Trump twice in one day, to no avail, for military help.
Oil was trading at $104 (approximately £82) per barrel before markets opened, with expectations of exceeding $110 (approximately £87) or $115 (approximately £91). In the United States, diesel prices hit an all time record of $6 (approximately £4.70) per gallon, or about £1.03 per litre.
Trump has told Zelenskyy to stop striking Russian diesel infrastructure, saying: “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 fuel. This isn’t done by the Middle East. This is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine.”
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