Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized US President Donald Trump’s diesel agreement with Russia on Friday, warning that the deal could help finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine while undermining international peace efforts.
Speaking at a European Union summit in Brussels, Zelenskiy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of showing no genuine interest in ending the conflict. He described Moscow’s approach to negotiations as a "parody" of meaningful peace talks and welcomed stronger European involvement in diplomatic efforts.
Zelenskiy argued that the US-Russia diesel deal would generate additional revenue for Moscow despite Western efforts to weaken its war economy.
"This diesel deal will never be enough to offset the impact of the Strait of Hormuz on global markets. But it will put more money straight into Putin’s pocket to fund this war," he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron also opposed the agreement, warning that it could deepen divisions among Western allies.
Tensions intensified after Trump criticized Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries, blaming the attacks for contributing to higher global energy prices ahead of November’s US midterm elections.
Ukraine reportedly struck Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery on Thursday, forcing the suspension of operations at a major crude distillation unit, according to industry sources cited by Reuters.
Meanwhile, Putin reinforced Moscow’s military objectives during a visit to a Russian command post. He declared that establishing a security zone along Ukraine’s border was essential and would not be subject to future peace negotiations.
The diplomatic dispute comes as Ukraine faces continued Russian missile and drone attacks, alongside uncertainty over future US military assistance and intelligence-sharing.
Zelenskiy also raised concerns about disruptions to Starshield, the military-grade version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communications network. Although service capabilities have improved, he said operations remain partially restricted, potentially endangering Ukrainian civilians.
Trump denied involvement in the satellite disruptions and suggested Elon Musk was not responsible either.
Despite their disagreements, Trump maintained that his relationship with Zelenskiy remained positive, emphasizing his desire for a negotiated settlement.
With Russia-Ukraine peace talks stalled, rising oil prices and uncertainty surrounding Western military support are adding pressure to an already fragile diplomatic situation.
