Zelensky says Trump’s Russian diesel deal could prolong Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised Donald Trump’s reported diesel supply agreement with Russia, warning that the revenue could sustain Moscow’s war effort. His remarks came as Ukrainian officials held talks with US envoys on a possible ceasefire.

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s agreement allowing Russia to supply diesel to the United States and global markets, arguing that the move would provide Moscow with additional funds to sustain its war against Ukraine and undermine efforts to secure peace.

In a lengthy post on social media platform X, Zelensky said allowing Russia to generate revenue through petroleum product exports would strengthen the Kremlin’s ability to continue military operations rather than encourage an end to the conflict.

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“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world,” Zelensky wrote.

“Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged,” he added.

Trump on Friday (local time) announced a major agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin under which Moscow would supply millions of tonnes of diesel to the United States and global markets. He said the move would sharply lower fuel prices.

The announcement came as a Ukrainian negotiating delegation was in Florida for two days of discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The talks focused on possible arrangements to end the war, including a proposed ceasefire that would halt attacks on energy infrastructure.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday afternoon, Trump described his conversation with Putin as highly successful and outlined the proposed scale of Russian diesel supplies to international markets.

“I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter,” Trump wrote.

The US Treasury Department also issued a temporary licence easing sanctions on Russian diesel exports, facilitating the proposed supply arrangement.

Zelensky questioned the timing of Trump’s announcement, particularly as the Ukrainian delegation was engaged in discussions with American officials on ways to end the conflict. He suggested that the Ukrainian team’s presence in Florida could be serving as a “smokescreen” for the agreement reached between Washington and Moscow.

Speaking to reporters, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine’s representatives were in the United States to discuss ways to stop the fighting and secure a ceasefire, making the announcement of the Russian diesel deal particularly concerning for Kyiv.

He pointed to the contrast between the ongoing negotiations involving Ukrainian and American officials and the simultaneous communication between Trump and Putin, whom he described as “the leader of this war”.

Zelensky argued that the revenue Russia would earn from diesel exports could help sustain its military campaign and prolong the suffering caused by the conflict.

“Means more money for this war, more money to inflict suffering on us, without a doubt,” he said, referring to the financial benefits Moscow could obtain from the agreement.

“It only feeds Putin and gives him the ability to fight even more,” Zelensky said, describing the agreement as a “weak decision by strong partners”.