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The Kremlin on Monday pointed to instability and renewed escalation in the Persian Gulf as the main reason for worsening conditions in global energy markets, rather than Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries that have tightened fuel supplies.
The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel infrastructure, saying the attacks were causing a fuel shortage that was "hurting the world."
"Any call on the Kyiv regime to stop attacks on civilian economic infrastructure can only be welcomed," Peskov told reporters during a daily conference call on Monday, adding that global energy markets were worsening mainly because of "instability and new rounds of escalation in the Persian Gulf region."
A wave of long-distance Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries in recent months has reduced Russia’s fuel production and triggered fuel shortages, including gasoline shortages across the country.
The attacks have put pressure on Russia’s domestic fuel supply as refineries come under repeated drone strikes. Ukraine says it is targeting Russian refineries to increase the cost to Moscow of continuing its invasion of Ukraine.
Numerous Russian regions have faced gasoline shortages, while the disruptions are weighing on national morale ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18 to 20.
The impact is also being felt in the United States, where the national average diesel price climbed above $6 per gallon for the first time last week. U.S. diesel inventories are also 13% below the five-year average, adding to pressure on the market.
Trump on Sunday argued that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries were contributing to a global diesel shortage. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Ireland, he urged Kyiv to focus on other targets and leave Russian diesel facilities alone.
Trump said he had raised the issue directly with Zelenskyy and pointed to what he described as "plenty of other targets" available to Ukraine.
"Mr. Zelenskyy has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," Trump told reporters. "Let him go after targets, but not diesel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel."
Trump also rejected the argument that the Middle East conflict was driving the diesel disruption. "This isn’t done by the Middle East. This is done by what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine," he said.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projected that global oil supply would fall by 5.7 million barrels per day in 2026, or about 6%, as the Middle East conflict disrupts Gulf flows. The agency also reported that refined fuel prices, including diesel, had reached record highs as inventories were being depleted at a rapid pace.
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