Trump urges Kyiv to halt oil refinery strikes, but denies Saudi plea on Yemen

US President Donald Trump is urging Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, citing global diesel shortages and rising prices, while simultaneously refusing Saudi Arabia's request for direct military intervention against Yemen's Houthi rebels. Trump stated on September 13 that Ukraine should halt attacks on Russian fuel infrastructure, claiming they create a global diesel deficit, though he allowed for strikes on other targets. Meanwhile, Washington declined military commitments to Yemen's leadership despite Houthi advances toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical shipping route, and attacks near Riyadh. Ukrainian strikes have reduced Russian refining capacity, but analysts note the diesel crisis stems from multiple factors, including Middle East instability and limited US refinery capacity. The Houthi offensive has displaced over 125,000 people since September, with 22 million Yemenis requiring humanitarian aid.