Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized agreements between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on supplies of Russian diesel fuel. He said in his Telegram channel that any easing of sanctions must be accompanied by a de-escalation agreement. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
In a statement published on social media, Zelensky called the permission for Russia to sell oil products support for continuing the war.
"Gifts to Putin will not work for peace or any benefit for the civilized world. Russia will 'thank' for the diesel with further terror and vile acts. Permitting Russia to sell oil products is an investment in the war that needs to be ended, not continued. Real de-escalation with Russia is needed, and in a mirror format," Zelensky said.
In his view, easing sanctions pressure without a clear and long-term de-escalation agreement will allow Moscow to obtain additional resources to continue hostilities.
According to RBC-Ukraine, Zelensky separately called Trump's decision unfair and dishonest.
"I believe our team is simply being used as a screen. And this is definitely dishonest, it is definitely not partner-like. And this, in my view, is a weak decision. Unfortunately, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners," he said.
Journalists told Trump that Zelensky had called his deal with Russia a manifestation of weakness. The US president asked again who said this, and upon hearing the name of the Ukrainian leader, briefly replied: "Okay."
Zelensky said Kyiv is ready to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow halts attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. According to him, the American side knows about this proposal.
"Ukraine will not burn Russian oil refining if Russia does not destroy our energy sector. We are proposing exactly such an arrangement to America and believe that the strength of the United States is sufficient to achieve such a compromise," the Ukrainian president said.
He also called on the US to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and continue supporting Ukraine.
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump in their conversation that Moscow's position regarding the goals of the war in Ukraine remains unchanged, and noted that he appreciates the American president's attention to dialogue with Russia.
Ushakov also said that Putin stated that Russian troops retain the initiative and linked the impossibility of resuming negotiations to Kyiv's actions, which, according to the Russian side, tried to disrupt elections. According to Ushakov, Trump instructed that Moscow's position be conveyed to the Ukrainian delegation.
After a phone conversation with Putin on October 9, Trump announced that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to American and global markets. According to him, another 500,000 tons are expected in November, and then 1 million tons. The American president hopes that additional supplies will help lower fuel prices.