Zelenskyy calls for genuine partnership, not using Ukraine as political cover in US
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Kyiv considers the agreement between Washington and Moscow, which allows Russia to export diesel fuel, to be unfair. The decision was made precisely while the Ukrainian delegation is holding negotiations with the US in Florida, according to a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to journalists on October 9.
The Ukrainian negotiating team is on a two-day visit to Florida. The parties are discussing the end of the war or, at the very least, a cessation of hostilities. According to Zelenskyy, the first step could be an energy ceasefire, which is crucial for Ukrainian families.
At the same time, as the president explained, US President Donald Trump held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and agreed to allow Russia to export diesel fuel. In Zelenskyy's view, this will bring the Kremlin millions or even billions.
The president emphasized that this was additional money for the war and for the suffering inflicted upon them. He added that it undoubtedly only fueled Putin and gave him the opportunity to fight even more.
Zelenskyy believes that such a decision in the midst of peace negotiations undermines trust between allies.
He stated that he believed their team was being used simply as a front and that this was definitely unfair and not in the spirit of partnership. In his view, it was a weak decision, adding that it was unfortunately a weak decision made by strong partners.
The agreement became known on the evening of October 9. Trump announced that following his conversation with Putin, Russia would supply diesel to the American and global markets: over 300,000 tons immediately, another 500,000 tons in November, and a million tons thereafter. For this purpose, the US Treasury Department is issuing a temporary license to Moscow, effectively suspending sanctions.
The diesel crisis has become a serious problem for Trump ahead of the congressional elections. The US president claimed that fuel prices rose due to Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries, not because of the war in the Middle East. In recent weeks, he has repeatedly insisted that Kyiv must stop attacks on Russian infrastructure, as they allegedly provoke a global diesel shortage.
