United States President Donald Trump responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of the agreement reached between Washington and Moscow to ease sanctions on Russian diesel. In a statement at the White House, the Republican said that Zelensky should immediately stop attacks on Russia's oil refineries and look for a new leadership capable of reaching a peace agreement.
"He better stop immediately," Trump told reporters, before suggesting that Ukraine should "have a new leader."
Russia and Ukraine have recently intensified attacks on power generation facilities, transportation networks and other strategic points of energy infrastructure — an important sector for the global economy and one that worries the American president. "We said, 'You can do whatever you want with Russia, but don't attack the refineries,' because this is a global problem caused by this crisis," Trump said.
🔍 Negotiations with Vladimir Putin to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports occur as Washington seeks to contain fuel prices, which have risen sharply with the war in Iran. The rise represents a political challenge for Republicans ahead of the American legislative elections.
Trump's reaction came after Zelensky called the agreement between Washington and Moscow an "investment in war" and a demonstration of "obvious weakness." The Ukrainian leader argued that the release of sales of oil products guarantees financial resources for the Kremlin to prolong the conflict and intensify bombings against his country.
Trump and Zelensky meet at the White House, on August 18, 2025 — Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Agreement should have reduced impact on prices, experts say
The deal announced by Trump authorizes Russia to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel to the American and global markets. The decision surprised the Ukrainian delegation, as officials from Kiev and European countries were meeting with American negotiators in Miami to discuss peace without having been informed about the negotiations involving the fuel.
To enable the Russian product to enter the international market, the United States Treasury Department issued a temporary exemption from sanctions, valid until April 2027. In response, the Russian government confirmed the partial suspension of the diesel export ban, with immediate effect.
"Production volumes are sufficient to fully meet domestic demand and exports to the global market in the specified volumes," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in a statement.
Energy sector analysts project that the measure will have a reduced impact on prices paid by end consumers. The logic is that the release only redistributes diesel on the global market, without significantly changing the total volume available.
A few hours after confirmation of sanctions relief, Russia carried out new airstrikes on Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky reacted to the attacks by saying that Moscow was "thankful" for the lifting of sanctions by intensifying bombings against civilians. The Ukrainian president stressed that Russia interprets any decline in international pressure as authorization to continue attacking cities in the country.
Russian attacks also hit the capital, Kiev, and caused metro trains to stop due to cuts in electricity supplies. Meanwhile, negotiations to end the war continue to be held up by Russia's demand for control over the Donetsk region.
Kiev reiterated that it agreed to suspend attacks on Russian infrastructure only if Moscow stops bombings of the Ukrainian energy grid. Amid the exchange of accusations and the intensification of hostilities, there is no immediate prospect of resuming direct negotiations between the parties.
