US President Donald Trump has announced a deal to import large quantities of diesel from Russia, calling it a “big deal” and thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin for agreeing to supply the fuel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move, saying it would benefit Putin and help prolong the war.
Trump said Russia would immediately supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel. He said a further 500,000 tonnes would arrive in November, followed by an additional 1 million tonnes shortly afterward.
Zelenskyy objects to easing sanctions
Zelenskyy said easing sanctions on Moscow without an agreement to de-escalate would be wrong. He described the proposed arrangement as a gift to Putin and an investment in prolonging the war.
The announcement has drawn attention to the dispute over whether sanctions on Russia should be eased without commitments to reduce tensions.
