Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) stated on Wednesday that the war in Ukraine is the leading cause of current high diesel prices in the United States. During his remarks, Marshall emphasized that the conflict has disrupted energy markets, leading to a decrease in diesel production. This assessment comes as energy costs remain a central issue for voters ahead of the midterm elections.

While Marshall points directly to the geopolitical instability caused by the war as the primary factor, energy analysts often present a more complex picture. Other factors frequently cited by economists include domestic refinery capacity constraints, seasonal demand shifts, and global supply chain adjustments following the pandemic. Marshall’s comments focus specifically on the supply-side shock resulting from the conflict, suggesting that the reduction in production is the fundamental issue driving costs upward for consumers and businesses.