Zelenskyy Criticizes US-Russia Diesel Deal as 'Gifts to Putin'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly criticized a newly announced agreement between the United States and Russia to supply diesel fuel to global markets. US President Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to release over 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, with an additional 500,000 tons expected in November, to help lower energy costs. The US Treasury Department has issued a temporary license to facilitate the trade. Zelenskyy described the move as an investment in the ongoing war, while Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev characterized the cooperation as beneficial to the world.
Key points
- President Donald Trump announced a deal for Russia to supply 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to US and global markets.
- An additional 500,000 tons of Russian diesel are expected to be supplied in November.
- The US Treasury Department issued a temporary license to allow the entry of Russian diesel into global markets.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the deal as a 'gift to Putin' that prolongs the war.
- The White House has not clarified payment terms or the exact timeline for the fuel's arrival.
What happened
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Russia has agreed to supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. According to the announcement, 300,000 tons of diesel will be supplied immediately, followed by 500,000 tons in November. The US Treasury Department has issued a temporary license to permit these petroleum products to enter the global market.
President Trump stated the move is intended to lower energy costs for Americans, specifically citing farmers, ranchers, and truckers. The announcement follows recent talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Who said what
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the agreement in a post on X, stating, 'Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world.' He argued that allowing Russia to sell petroleum products acts as an investment in the war, which he stated must be ended rather than prolonged.
Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev responded to the announcement on X, asserting that 'Russia-US cooperation on diesel and energy will benefit the world.'
Context
The agreement arrives one month after President Trump signed sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector and other industries. The new deal raises questions regarding the administration's future enforcement of bipartisan legislation that requires sanctions on major importers of Russian oil and gas.
The White House has not provided details on the payment structure for the diesel or confirmed if the November deliveries will arrive before the 3 November midterm elections.
