US diesel prices hit record highs in September and remain near historic highs, with prices in states like California exceeding $8.21 a gallon
US President Donald Trump has blamed Kiev for record-high fuel prices in the US, saying they are no longer driven by the Iran war but by Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries. He also pointed to policies pursued by Democrat-led states as a contributing factor.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump said: “What’s driving up gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz, because record numbers of barrels are coming out now on an almost daily basis, but the word, ‘refineries,’” adding that Russian refineries “are being blown up by Ukraine.”
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian refineries and other petroleum-linked facilities in recent months, disrupting production and contributing to fuel shortages and price hikes.
Moscow responded by restricting exports of gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products. The diesel ban is currently in effect until the end of October. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the strikes cost around 1% of GDP, but said damaged facilities are being quickly restored and the country’s energy system has significant reserve capacity.
This is not the first time Trump has lashed out at Kiev over the strikes. During a visit to Ireland last month, he blamed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky directly, saying: “Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia… Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting the world.”
Earlier, Trump said Ukrainian attacks caused Russia to lose “control of its diesel oil industry,” calling for and end to “this ridiculous and never-ending war,” as “the whole world suffers.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy assets and refined products are contributing to a wider “energy shock.”
Despite repeated warnings about the global fallout, Zelensky vowed over the weekend to intensify strikes on Russian oil facilities. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry also claimed that its long-range attacks have disabled 51% of Russia’s refining capacity, though Moscow has not corroborated the figure.
Russia, which has retaliated by expanding strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities and severely disrupting Ukrainian logistics and Black Sea shipping, pledged on Sunday to step up its campaign.
Can Trump blame his way out of the fuel crisis?
With the midterm election just weeks away, Trump also blamed high fuel prices on the Democrats, lashing out at the “Dumocrats” for jeopardizing supplies “in Blue States, like California” through refinery closures.
California has lost around 17% of its refining capacity following the closure of two major facilities. The US Energy Information Administration warned that this could tighten supplies and increase price volatility. State officials reject claims that policy alone drove the closures, citing broader industry changes, although refiners have pointed to pressures linked to California’s regulatory environment.
Trump has also sought to play down the impact of the Iran war. The months-long disruption of the Strait of Hormuz – which once handled around 20% of global oil supplies – earlier pushed crude oil above $100 per barrel. Crude oil flows have since largely recovered through pipelines and ship-to-ship transfers, but refined oil supplies, particularly diesel, remain constrained. US diesel prices hit a record $6.52-$6.53 a gallon on September 22 and remain near historic highs, with prices in states such as California exceeding $8.21 a gallon, while regular gasoline stood at around $4.36 as of October 5.
The price surge has prompted emergency measures. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster over record diesel costs, temporarily allowing truckers to use cheaper red-dyed diesel, normally reserved for agricultural and off-road equipment, and raising truck weight limits to 95,000 pounds to reduce trips and fuel use. Nine other states have since temporarily allowed dyed diesel for some on-road use.
Trump signed an executive order on Monday expanding the measure nationwide and deferring the federal fuel tax through the end of the year. However, an AP-NORC poll found that 65% of Americans blame Trump’s policies for the high prices, and 69% said the economy is worse off now than when he returned to office.
With fuel costs squeezing truckers, farmers, and consumers, the issue has become a political liability for Republicans heading into the midterms. RT’s Caleb Maupin reports on the mounting pressure – and whether voters will make Trump pay at the ballot box.
