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Trump allies blame Ukraine for rising U.S. gas prices

financeSep 5, 2026471,551

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox viewers that Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are pushing U.S. pump prices higher, with Bessent saying, "Ukraine has decided that they want to blow up Russian energy assets," and Duffy adding, "When you look at diesel, you have to look at Russia and Ukraine." Progressive commentator David Pakman mocked the framing with an initial "Huh!?" and argued Bessent mischaracterized Ukraine’s limited defensive strikes as a deliberate decision to raise global prices. Pakman pointed to President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a war in Iran and said that conflict is a predictable cause of "massive disruption to global energy markets." Independent analysts and reporting cited limits from global refining shortfalls that constrain how much U.S. policy can quickly lower prices. The exchange has political stakes ahead of the midterm elections as Republican officials seek explanations for record-high gasoline and diesel costs.

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