Stories

Sat, 10 Oct 2026

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a gift to Putin

Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged".
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized US President Donald Trump's announcement that he will allow Russian diesel into the US market, calling it a "gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin" that will prolong the war in Ukraine. Trump said that Russia will supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another million after that. In return, the US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. However, experts have questioned whether Russia can meet this demand, with one analyst saying the numbers mentioned are "relatively small" and will not make a significant difference to fuel prices in the US. Zelensky said that Ukraine expects fair support from the US for its defense against Russian aggression. The White House has yet to confirm what benefits Russia will receive in return for the deal. The UK government also criticized the move, saying it would continue to work with international partners to support Ukraine and bring about a lasting peace.