Russia- US diesel is 'investment in war': Zelenskiy

Synopsis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has criticized the recent US-Russia diesel agreement. He described it as an investment that prolongs the ongoing war with Russia. Zelenskiy emphasized that allowing Russia to sell diesel will provide funds for further aggression. He remarked that Ukraine is being unfairly used as a front in these discussions. Zelenskiy called for actual de-escalation through reciprocal actions instead of such agreements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised an accord on Friday between the US and Russia allowing Moscow to provide the US with diesel, calling it "an investment in a war that must be ended."

He dismissed the accord, which was announced while a Ukrainian delegation was in the US to discuss how to seek a resolution of the war with Russia, as "a weak decision on the part of strong partners".

"Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world," Zelenskiy wrote on the X social media platform.

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"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. What is needed is real de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis," Zelenskiy said.

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Trump said in a post on social media that he had agreed in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia would immediately supply diesel to the US and global marketplace. Trump said lower prices for Americans "is my Greatest Priority".

Zelenskiy, speaking to reporters later on WhatsApp, said the accord would provide Moscow with additional funds to wage war and undermine any attempts to work towards a settlement.

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"I believe our team is simply being used as a front. And that is certainly not fair, nor is it how partners should treat each other," he said. "In my view, it is a weak decision on the part of strong partners."