Trump’s Russian Diesel Deal Sparks Fury as Zelenskyy Warns of War Risks
US President Donald Trump has reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to purchase millions of tonnes of Russian diesel, triggering anger from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and criticism from American lawmakers.
Trump announced the deal on Friday, October 9, saying Russia would supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by additional shipments to ease rising fuel prices in the United States.
The agreement comes amid soaring energy costs linked to the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route previously carrying about 20 per cent of global oil supplies.
Trump argued that importing Russian diesel would bring down prices for American farmers, truckers and other consumers facing increasing fuel expenses ahead of November’s midterm elections.
However, Zelenskyy condemned the agreement, describing it as unfair and warning that the revenue could strengthen Russia’s ability to sustain its war against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president argued that purchasing Russian fuel would effectively support Moscow’s military campaign rather than encourage Putin to end the conflict.
Democratic lawmakers also criticised the agreement, accusing Trump of undermining recently enacted legislation designed to restrict Russia’s oil revenues through sanctions and tariffs.
Some Republicans expressed similar concerns, arguing that the deal could provide financial support for Putin while Russian forces continued attacking Ukrainian cities.
The announcement came as American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian and European representatives in Miami to discuss proposals for ending the war.
Zelenskyy also alleged that Ukrainian negotiators had been used to divert attention from the agreement, raising fresh questions about Washington’s commitment to its European allies.
The deal could further strain relations between Trump and Zelenskyy, while intensifying concerns among NATO members about the direction of American policy towards Russia.
Despite the backlash, Trump maintained that reducing fuel prices remained a priority, even as the agreement threatened to deepen diplomatic tensions over the ongoing war.
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