US President Donald Trump announced that they reached an agreement on the supply of diesel fuel from Russia and thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted harshly to the easing of sanctions against Moscow. Trump responded to the question about Zelenski's criticism with one word.
THANKS FROM TRUMP TO PUTIN
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of Treasury has issued a general license that allows related transactions, including the sale, delivery, unloading and import of diesel originating from Russia, until April 7, 2027.
US President Donald Trump answered journalists' questions at the White House before his departure for New York. Stating that they reached an agreement with Russia on the supply of diesel fuel, Trump thanked Putin.
Trump said, "I think you have heard about the oil agreement with Russia. This is a very important agreement. A tremendous amount of oil is coming to our country and I want to thank President Putin for that."
Arguing that a significant amount of diesel fuel will reach the USA and that this will reduce prices, Trump said, "We are talking about the diesel the world needs here, so we are happy to supply diesel."
According to Trump's statement, Russia will immediately send over 300 thousand tons of diesel fuel to American and global markets. An agreement was reached for Russia to supply 500 thousand tons of diesel in November and 1 million tons of diesel in the next stage.
Trump also stated that Russia could deliver 3 million more tons of fuel in a short time, depending on the condition of its diesel refineries.
After his phone call with Putin, Trump announced that Russia would supply diesel fuel to the US and global markets.
KREMLIN: PUTIN AND TRUMP DID NOT WANT TO HANG THE PHONE OFF
The Kremlin shared details about the phone call between Trump and Putin on the night of October 9, which lasted approximately 1.5 hours.
In the statement published on the Kremlin's website, Putin stated that the developments in global energy markets, solutions to the Ukrainian crisis, the situation in Iran and bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.
Putin emphasized that Russia is ready to supply oil and oil products to the US and world markets and said, "I believe this will have a positive impact on the entire global economy."
Stating that the leaders of the two countries agreed to maintain direct contacts, Putin noted that cooperation between presidential administrations, intelligence services and other institutions will continue.
Russian Vice President Yuriy Ushakov said that the meeting took place in a friendly and intense atmosphere. Ushakov stated that the two leaders did not want to end the conversation and said, "Neither leader wanted to be the first to hang up the phone. Finally, they both hung up at the same time."
Ushakov also stated that Trump said during the meeting that he was ready to continue talking with Putin in the evening, at night and the next day.
ZELENSKY: A INDICATOR OF WEAKNESS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called the easing of sanctions against Russia “a clear sign of weakness.”
Zelenskiy said, "Easing sanctions against Russia without an agreement that provides for a clear and permanent reduction of tensions with Russia is a clear sign of weakness. This benefits Russia; it allows it to kill more people, continue the war for longer, show even less respect for America, and inflict greater losses and damage on the world."
Arguing that he trusts in agreements that will relieve the pressure on Moscow, Zelenskiy stated that easing sanctions without a concrete tension reduction agreement would benefit Russia.
Recalling Europe's decision to lift sanctions against Russian oligarchs, Zelenskiy said, "Since then, Russian attacks and people's suffering have only increased."
Emphasizing that Ukraine is ready to take mutual steps to reduce tensions, Zelenskiy argued that easing sanctions against Russia will not contribute to peace.
Zelenskiy said, "The gifts given to Putin will not bring peace, nor will they bring any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will pay for diesel fuel with more terror and betrayal. Allowing Russia to sell oil products means investing in a war that must be ended, but this war should not be prolonged. What is needed is a real reduction of tensions with Russia on the basis of reciprocity."
ONE-WORD RESPONSE FROM TRUMP TO ZELENSKY
Journalists asked Trump about Zelenskiy's criticism of the agreement with Russia. Trump merely said that Ukraine is a strong partner with the United States.
When asked what he thought about Zelenskiy's statements, Trump replied with one word: "Okay."
