President Donald Trump issued a stark call on Thursday for an immediate halt to the war in Ukraine, using a Truth Social post to highlight the mounting costs of the conflict—both human and economic. Trump’s intervention comes as Ukrainian long-range strikes have degraded Russia’s diesel production capacity, driving up fuel prices worldwide.
In his post, Trump wrote: “Russia has unfortunately lost control of its Diesel Oil Industry due to its War with Ukraine. A large number of their Diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission. This ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended. The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame! President DJT”
The president’s remarks underscore the global ramifications of the conflict, now in its third year. Diesel prices have surged in Europe and the United States, exacerbating inflationary pressures. Yet the human toll remains staggering: tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have died, with no end in sight.
While Trump’s push for peace is welcome, the reality is that only one man can stop the bloodshed: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine is the victim of an unprovoked invasion and has every right to defend itself. As Ukrainian forces successfully repel Russian advances and use drone and missile strikes to target military infrastructure, Putin continues to order devastating attacks on Kyiv and other cities, hoping to break Ukraine’s will.
But Ukrainians have shown no signs of capitulating. During a recent visit to Ukraine, I witnessed firsthand their determination to remain independent. They are prepared to fight as long as it takes, until Russia withdraws.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered a path to de-escalation. He has said he is willing to agree to an immediate ceasefire along the current front lines to allow for peace talks. Ukraine is also ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia ceases its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and food exports.
Zelensky reiterated this position in a response to Trump, writing: “Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and our food exports must stop being targets for Russia, and this will lead to matching de-escalation steps on our part. Solutions are possible. We are ready to work on this, and we will discuss it with our partners on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.”
The logic is simple: the defending party cannot lay down its arms unless the attacking party agrees to stop attacking. Putin could end this war tomorrow by agreeing to a ceasefire and negotiating the status of occupied territories. At a minimum, he must renounce any ambition to conquer the rest of Ukraine. If he refuses, the war will drag on, and the world will continue to pay the price.
Trump deserves credit for his efforts to bring about peace. But until Putin decides to stop, the killing will continue—and diesel will keep flowing at a premium.
