Facing a major political headwind from soaring diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections, U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to refrain from attacking Russian diesel facilities.

Visiting Ireland, President Trump told reporters today (the 13th, local time), "We have spoken with President Volodymyr Zelensky about that issue. There are plenty of other targets, so do not hit diesel fuel."

Emphasizing that Ukrainian strikes are causing diesel shortages, President Trump reiterated, "They must stop destroying Russia's diesel-related infrastructure."

In the United States, diesel prices, which directly impact everyday living costs, have recently surged to all-time highs, surpassing $6 per gallon.

The spike in diesel prices has been driven by intensifying global supply bottlenecks due to the Middle East conflict, as well as Ukrainian drone strikes that have heavily damaged oil refineries in Russia, a major diesel exporter.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)