Cars wait in a long line to refuel at a Rosneft gas station in St. Petersburg, Russia, on September 15, 2026.
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US President Donald Trump is expected to pressure Ukraine’s president to agree to an energy ceasefire with Russia during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, saying Russia has “unfortunately lost control of its diesel oil industry” as a result of the war.
President Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, an unusual sit-down meeting between the two leaders at a high-level event.
The two men are expected to discuss further air defense support for Kiev ahead of the winter, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, and ways to end more than four-and-a-half years of conflict.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, President Trump said “numerous” diesel refineries in Russia had been “blown up” and were at least temporarily shut down, without providing further details.
“This stupid, never-ending war with Ukraine has to end. 25,000 people are being killed every month, mostly soldiers, and the whole world is suffering. What a shame!” Trump said.
A spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in London did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
President Trump previously called on Zelensky to end drone strikes, saying targeting Russian refineries with drone strikes is “damaging the world” at a time when U.S. diesel prices have soared to record highs due to fuel supply disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine and Iran.
U.S. retail diesel prices have exceeded $6.50 a gallon for the first time as the Iran war limits global supplies through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to the latest figures from AAA.
Ukraine has maintained that Russian energy facilities are legitimate military targets as it continues to resist Russian forces that invaded the country in early 2022. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it was planning a “large-scale attack” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, fueling fears of another winter attack.
President Zelenskiy: “A solution is possible”
President Zelensky said on Monday that his government was continuing talks with the Trump administration and that “ideas are on the table to bring peace closer, starting with strong de-escalation measures.”
He added: “Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and our food exports should cease to be targeted by Russia, and this will lead to corresponding de-escalation measures on our side. A solution is possible.”
The Ukrainian president, who arrived in New York on Monday night and met with French President Emmanuel Macron, said Kiev was ready to cooperate with partner countries on the sidelines of this week’s United Nations General Assembly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner outside the Mariinsky Palace after negotiations in Kiev, Ukraine, September 6, 2026.
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Ukraine launched what is believed to be the largest drone attack ever on the Moscow region on Sunday, damaging an oil refinery facility on the outskirts of the city. The attack, which killed three people, occurred on the final day of voting in Russia’s tightly controlled lower house elections.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party won a record number of seats in parliament, according to almost complete official election results on Monday.
