Trump-Putin Diesel Deal: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Slams US Move as Washington Eases Russian Fuel Sanctions Until April 2027

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised US President Donald Trump’s agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume diesel supplies, calling it a “weak decision” and accusing Washington of using Ukrainian negotiators as a “smokescreen” while pursuing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The deal, announced after a phone call between Trump and Putin, comes as the US administration temporarily eases sanctions on Russian diesel shipments until April 2027.

The announcement has raised questions about Washington’s approach to Moscow, particularly after Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law last month. It also came as US, Ukrainian and European representatives held talks in Miami to discuss proposals aimed at ending the war. US Treasury’s OFAC Issues Licence Permitting Russian-origin Diesel Fuel Imports Until April 7, 2027.

Zelenskyy Slams US-Russia Diesel Deal

Zelenskyy described the agreement as “a weak decision by strong partners” and argued that allowing Russia to sell petroleum products would provide Moscow with additional revenue to continue its war against Ukraine.

In remarks reported by The Associated Press (AP), the Ukrainian president said his negotiating team was being used as a “smokescreen” while discussions over a possible peace settlement were taking place. “I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen. And that is certainly not fair. It is certainly not how partners should treat each other,” Zelenskyy said, according to AP.

In a separate statement on social media, he warned that the revenue from Russian fuel sales could help prolong the conflict rather than advance peace efforts. He called for reciprocal de-escalation instead of measures that could strengthen Moscow’s ability to continue its military campaign.

Trump Announces Diesel Deal After Phone Call With Putin

Trump announced the agreement on Friday, October 9, following a phone conversation with Putin. He said Russia would supply diesel to the United States and the global market, presenting lower fuel prices as a priority for American consumers, farmers, ranchers and truckers.

According to AP, Trump said Russia would initially supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and additional shipments thereafter. He also referred to a further supply of 3 million tons within a short period, although the precise delivery schedule and payment arrangements were not immediately clear. The announcement marked a significant shift in US policy towards Russian energy exports, which Washington had restricted following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

US Eases Russian Diesel Sanctions Until April 2027

Following Trump’s announcement, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary general licence allowing certain Russian diesel shipments to proceed without being subject to US sanctions. The measure provides relief for eligible deliveries of Russian diesel loaded onto tankers as of October 9, 2026, with the exemption extending until April 2027. It does not amount to a blanket removal of all US sanctions against Russia.

The decision comes just weeks after Trump signed legislation aimed at increasing economic pressure on Moscow, including measures targeting Russian officials, banks and oil-related activities. The latest move has therefore raised questions about how the administration will reconcile its efforts to secure fuel supplies and contain domestic energy costs with its stated objective of pressuring Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Deal Announced as US, Ukraine Hold Peace Talks

The diesel agreement was announced as US envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner met Ukrainian officials and European representatives in Miami. The discussions focused on developing a proposal to end the war, with issues including security guarantees for Ukraine, post-war economic recovery and territorial questions reportedly on the agenda.

Zelenskyy’s criticism highlights the tension between Washington’s diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict and its decision to ease restrictions on Russian energy exports. The Ukrainian president has argued that allowing Moscow to earn more from fuel sales could undermine those negotiations by providing Russia with additional resources to sustain its military campaign.

Why the Russia Diesel Deal Matters

The agreement comes amid disruption to global energy markets linked to the war involving Iran, which has contributed to elevated fuel prices. Trump has cited the need to bring down prices in the United States as a key reason for pursuing the deal. Russia, meanwhile, has faced pressure on its domestic fuel supply after Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries. AP reported that Russia had restricted diesel exports since July as it struggled to meet domestic demand, while the International Energy Agency estimated that Russian diesel output had fallen by around 30%.

The immediate impact on American fuel prices remains uncertain. However, the decision has created a diplomatic challenge for the Trump administration, which is seeking cooperation with Moscow on energy supplies while also working with Kyiv and European partners to negotiate an end to the war. For Ukraine, the central concern is that easing restrictions on Russian fuel exports could strengthen Moscow financially at a time when Kyiv is seeking greater pressure on the Kremlin to secure a peace settlement.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2026 08:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).