Zelensky Slams Trump’s Russia Oil Deal, Says It Could Prolong Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised US President Donald Trump’s reported agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply diesel to the United States and global markets, warning that the arrangement could provide Moscow with additional funds to sustain its war against Ukraine.

In a lengthy post on social media platform X, Zelensky argued that allowing Russia to earn revenue from petroleum product exports would strengthen its ability to continue military operations rather than encourage an end to the conflict.

“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world,” Zelensky wrote.

“Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged,” he added.

Trump announced the proposed arrangement on Friday, saying Russia would supply millions of tonnes of diesel to the United States and international markets. He suggested that the additional supplies would help bring down fuel prices.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described his conversation with Putin as highly successful and outlined the proposed volumes of diesel deliveries.

“I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter,” Trump wrote.

The US Treasury Department also issued a temporary licence easing sanctions on Russian diesel exports, facilitating the proposed arrangement.

The announcement drew particular concern in Kyiv because a Ukrainian negotiating delegation was in Florida for two days of discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The talks focused on possible ways to end the war, including a proposed ceasefire that would halt attacks on energy infrastructure.

Zelensky questioned the timing of the announcement, suggesting that the Ukrainian delegation's presence in Florida could be serving as a “smokescreen” for the agreement between Washington and Moscow.

Speaking to reporters, he stressed that Ukrainian representatives had travelled to the United States to discuss ways to stop the fighting and establish a ceasefire. The announcement of a potential deal benefiting Russia, he indicated, raised questions about the broader approach to the negotiations.

The Ukrainian President also highlighted the contrast between talks involving Kyiv and Washington and Trump's separate communication with Putin, whom he described as “the leader of this war”.

Zelensky warned that the money Russia could earn from diesel exports would strengthen its capacity to sustain military operations and prolong the conflict.

“Means more money for this war, more money to inflict suffering on us, without a doubt,” he said, referring to the potential financial benefits for Moscow.

“It only feeds Putin and gives him the ability to fight even more,” Zelensky added, describing the arrangement as a “weak decision by strong partners”.

His remarks underscore the differences between Washington and Kyiv over how economic engagement with Moscow should be handled while diplomatic efforts to end the war remain underway.