Cars form long queues to refuel at a Rosneft gas station in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on September 15, 2026.Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesUSA President Donald Trump is expected to pressure his Ukrainian counterpart to agree to an energy truce with Russia in a high-stakes meeting on Tuesday, saying Moscow has “unfortunately lost control” of its diesel industry because of the war. Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, in a rare meeting of the two leaders at a high-level event. The two are set to discuss increased air defense support for kyiv before winter, Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and how to end the more than four-and-a-half-year conflict. In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said that “a large number” of Russian diesel refineries had “exploded” and were, at least temporarily, out of service, without providing further details. “This ridiculous, endless war with Ukraine must end. The entire world suffers while 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, die every month. What a shame!” Trump said. A spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in London was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. Trump has previously called on Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian oil refineries with drone strikes, which he says are “harming the world,” as fuel supply disruptions due to the Ukraine and Iran wars drive US diesel prices to a record high. Read more from CNBC’s Russia-Ukraine coverage: US retail diesel prices have risen above $6.50 a gallon for the first time, according to the latest figures from AAA, as global supplies through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz have been restricted by Ukraine has insisted that Russian energy sites are legitimate military targets as it continues to resist Russian forces that invaded the country in early 2022. While Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry has said it is planning “massive attacks” against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, amplifying fears of another winter assault. Zelenskyy: ‘Solutions are possible’ Zelenskyy said on Monday that his government remained in talks with the Trump administration and said there were ideas “on the table to bring peace closer, starting with strong de-escalation measures.” He added: “Ukraine’s energy sector, its critical infrastructure and our food exports must no longer be targets of Russia, and this will lead to de-escalation measures on our part. Solutions are possible.” Ukraine’s president, who arrived in New York on Monday night and met with French President Emmanuel Macron, said kyiv was ready to work with its partners on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner outside the Mariinskyi Palace following negotiations in kyiv, Ukraine, on September 6, 2026.Nurphoto | Nurfoto | Getty Images Ukraine on Sunday launched what is believed to be the largest drone attack in the Moscow region to date, damaging a facility at an oil refinery on the outskirts of the city. The attack, which killed three people, came on the final day of voting in Russia’s closely controlled State Duma election. The ruling United Russia party, which is supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, won a record number of seats in the national parliament, according to nearly complete official election results on Monday.
