Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized the easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel fuel following a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. He warned that such decisions give the Kremlin additional resources to continue its war against Ukraine.
“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with more terror and treachery. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged,” Zelenskyy declared.
The Ukrainian president stressed that previous sanctions relief had not led to a reduction in Russian attacks. Instead, Moscow continues to strike residential buildings and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia is attempting to compensate for its lack of significant battlefield gains by terrorizing civilians while seeking further concessions from the West.
“Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious sign of weakness,” he emphasized.
Zelenskyy also proposed that Washington help secure a mutual halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukraine is prepared to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Moscow ends its attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.
“Ukraine will not burn down Russian oil refineries if Russia does not destroy our energy infrastructure,” the president stressed.
Background: On October 9, following a phone call between Trump and Putin, the US Treasury Department announced a temporary easing of restrictions on transactions involving Russian diesel fuel.
According to Trump, the arrangements include the delivery of more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel in the near future, another 500,000 tons in November, and additional volumes later. Washington expects the move to help reduce global fuel prices.
The measure represents a temporary authorization for transactions involving Russian diesel, rather than a complete lifting of US sanctions against Russia.
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