▲ U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 14th (local time) that "Ukraine has agreed not to strike Russian energy targets," adding, "Russia has agreed to do the same."
President Trump made the claim through social media platform Truth Social on the same day.
Trump also emphasized, "The rise in global diesel prices is primarily due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, not Iran."
Previously, during his visit to Ireland the day before, President Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "stop attacking Russian diesel facilities."
He stated that Ukrainian attacks were causing diesel shortages, saying, "(The diesel shortage) is not happening because of the Middle East, but because of what is going on between Russia and Ukraine."
On Truth Social, President Trump further claimed, "A failing Iran wants to make a deal quickly and desperately."
He said, "I will decide whether the U.S. will enter into negotiations (with Iran) or not," adding, "I am open to the idea of negotiating."
Diesel prices in the United States, which are directly tied to the cost of living for ordinary citizens, have recently soared to record highs, exceeding 6 dollars per gallon.
The surge in diesel prices appears to be driven by intensified global supply strains due to the Middle East war, alongside heavy damage to refineries in Russia—a major diesel exporter—caused by Ukrainian drone attacks.
Trump's remarks are interpreted as an effort to emphasize ahead of the midterm elections that the rising diesel prices affecting public sentiment on inflation in the U.S. are a fallout of the war in Ukraine, rather than the war with Iran waged by himself.
At the same time, the message appears intended to back up his claim that international oil prices will soon stabilize by broadcasting that Iran wants an agreement with the United States.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.