Some eight weeks before the midterm election the Trump administration has a fuel price problem:
Diesel prices sped past $6.00 a gallon today for the first time ever – NPR, Sep 11 2026
Diesel prices sped past $6.00 a gallon today for the first time ever, with the national average at $6.05.
This rise in diesel prices has been rapid, going up 42 cents a gallon in September alone — and since the U.S. war with Iran started, diesel’s up $2.30.
Calif. diesel prices near $10 as fuel crisis deepens – Newsmax, Sep 13 2026
At a Shell station in San Diego’s Serra Mesa neighborhood, diesel was posted at $9.999 a gallon, effectively maxing out the three-digit price displays many gas stations use.
Trump however would of course never admit that any of his actions is to blame for the lack of fuel supplies. A convenient culprit has been found by blaiming Ukraine:
Bessent partly blames Ukraine for ‘energy shock’ pushing up prices – The Hill, Sep 2 2026
“We are going through an energy shock right now due to both the war in Ukraine, because Ukraine has decided that they want to blow up Russian energy assets and refined properties, so that is creating upward price pressure on a global basis, and the conflict in Iran,” [Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday] said.
Trump calls on Zelensky to stop attacking Russian energy targets (archived) – Washington Post, Sep 13 2026
President Donald Trump on Sunday said he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to ask him to “stop knocking out diesel fuel” targets in Russia, saying the attacks were contributing to a global shortage of the fuel.
“Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel, let them go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel,” Trump said, adding that there were “plenty other targets.”
“This isn’t done by the Middle East, this is done by what’s happening in Russia and Ukraine,” he told reporters while traveling in Ireland.
Trump made his comments after the U.S. average price for diesel hit an all-time high of $6 per gallon on Friday, reinforcing concerns about the cost of living less than two months before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Trump is right in that attacks from Ukraine on Russian energy infrastructure have caused a lack of fuels in global markets:
Russia Extends Diesel and Gasoline Export Bans Into 2027 – Oil Price, Jul 30 2026
Russia has extended restrictions on gasoline and diesel exports through January 31, 2027, ..
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Moscow first banned diesel exports from July 8 through July 31 after repeated Ukrainian drone attacks knocked refineries offline, triggering fuel shortages and price spikes across Russia.
Ukraine however is a mere proxy in this. The strikes on Russian energy infrastructure are directed by U.S. intelligence and committed with U.S. weapons:
U.S. to Provide Ukraine With Intelligence for Missile Strikes Deep Inside Russia (archived) – WSJ, Oct 1 2025
The U.S. will provide Ukraine with intelligence for long-range missile strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, American officials said, as the Trump administration weighs sending Kyiv powerful weapons that could put in range more targets within Russia.
President Trump recently signed off on allowing intelligence agencies and the Pentagon to aid Kyiv with the strikes. U.S. officials are asking North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies to provide similar support, these people said. The expanded intelligence-sharing with Kyiv is the latest sign that Trump is deepening support for Ukraine as his efforts to advance peace talks have stalled.
It is the first time, officials say, that the Trump administration will aid Ukrainian strikes with long-range missiles against energy targets deep inside Russian territory.
While the U.S. has long assisted Kyiv’s drone and missile attacks, the intelligence sharing means Ukraine will be better able to hit refineries, pipelines, power stations and other infrastructure far from its borders, with the goal of depriving the Kremlin of revenue and oil to sustain its invasion.
Diesel and other fuels are bought and sold in global markets. It was obvious from the get-go that strikes on Russian energy infrastructure would affect the global price of diesel – especially at California’s pumps.