PARIS, September 24. /TASS/. Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries are worsening the problem of fuel prices in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with TF1 and France 2 television channels.

"It is a fact," he said, answering a journalist’s relevant question. He stressed that the main reason for the fuel situation in Europe was the halt in supplies from the Middle East due to the blocked Strait of Hormuz. "And these [Ukrainian] attacks worsen the problem," he noted.

At the same time, Macron said he would not call on Ukraine to stop the attacks simply because they were causing prices in Europe to rise.

AFP reported earlier on Thursday, citing an analysis of European Commission data, that the price of diesel fuel in Europe had reached a record high, averaging 2.23 euros per liter. In addition to the overall record, record fuel prices were registered in 19 EU countries, including Germany, Italy and France. Denmark and Finland had the most expensive diesel, at 2.56 euros per liter, ahead of Germany at 2.46 euros. They were followed by Belgium and France at 2.40 euros per liter, while Italy rounded out the top four, with consumers paying about 2.30 euros per liter.