War in Ukraine: Trump seals deal with Putin on diesel, Zelensky is furious

Volodymyr Zelensky strongly criticized Donald Trump's decision on Friday to temporarily authorize the marketing of Russian diesel on the American and global markets. The Ukrainian president denounced an “unworthy” measure which, according to him, risks strengthening Moscow’s financial capabilities in its war against Ukraine. This announcement comes as Washington seeks to restart peace negotiations with kyiv.

Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had a “very fruitful discussion” with Vladimir Putin. According to the American president, Russia must immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, then an additional 500,000 tons in November and a million tons in a third phase. Three million tonnes could also be delivered quickly, depending on the capacities of Russian refineries. The Kremlin confirmed these volumes, while the US Department of Finance granted provisional authorization for these exports.

An agreement with the midterms as a backdrop

A few weeks before the midterms, Donald Trump intends to lower fuel prices. “Diesel prices for Americans, and indeed the world, WILL RAPIDLY FALL IN RECORD PROPORTIONS!” “, he assured. The leader presented this drop as a priority for American farmers, ranchers and truckers.

This decision arouses the anger of Volodymyr Zelensky, while Western sanctions on Russian hydrocarbons aim to limit the financial resources used by Moscow to continue its offensive in Ukraine. “You know, this looks like a nice birthday present for Putin. It’s absolutely horrible,” the Ukrainian president told Axios, two days after his Russian counterpart’s 74th birthday. He believes that this agreement gives Vladimir Putin the means to wage “an even more intense war”.

An announcement in the middle of the United States-Ukraine meeting

The American announcement coincides with the resumption, Friday in Miami, of discussions between the American and Ukrainian delegations, in which national security advisers from several European countries also participate. kyiv representatives met with Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy, and Jared Kushner. Volodymyr Zelensky regretted that his team “simply served as a front” while Washington negotiated with Moscow.

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