‘We’re Being Used As A Front,’ Zelensky Says Of Trump’s Diesel Deal With Putin
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President Donald Trump said the United States and Russia agreed to supply Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets, and the Treasury Department issued a temporary license permitting sales through April 7, 2027. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the move and said Ukraine’s delegation was being used as a front in parallel talks with U.S. negotiators. The scope of the talks’ proposals and the full terms of the fuel arrangement have not been disclosed.

President Donald Trump said the United States and Russia had agreed to supply Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets after his October 9 call with President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s delegation was being used as a “front” in parallel talks. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued a temporary license allowing Russian diesel sales through April 7, 2027. The commercial terms and any connection between the fuel arrangement and peace negotiations have not been disclosed.

Trump described his October 9 discussion with Putin as “highly successful.” Putin said Russia was ready to supply oil and petroleum products to the United States and world markets. Trump said the agreement included the immediate delivery of more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel, another 500,000 metric tons in November, and a further million metric tons. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia could supply additional diesel to the U.S. as early as October, with exports expected to increase in November and December as refineries resume operating after repairs.

The Treasury Department’s temporary license allows Russian diesel to be sold on the global market through April 7, 2027. The measure eases sanctions restrictions, but the source report does not specify which companies or buyers will participate, how the shipments will be priced, or whether all the volumes Trump cited are covered by the license. Novak also said Russia had begun lifting export restrictions. A Russian ban on diesel and marine-fuel exports by producers was still in effect through the end of October, according to the report.

Zelensky criticized easing sanctions without an agreement to reduce hostilities. He said the move showed “obvious weakness” and argued that allowing Russian petroleum sales would provide revenue to a country at war. After the deal was announced, he told reporters: “I think our team is simply being used as a front. That’s certainly dishonest, and it’s certainly no way to treat a partner.”

At a glance
updateWhen: Announced October 9, 2026; talks report…
The developmentTrump announced a Russian diesel supply agreement after speaking with Putin, while Zelensky accused Washington of sidelining Ukraine during concurrent peace talks.

Fuel Sales and Ukraine Talks

The announced arrangement connects sanctions policy and energy supply with diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russian diesel sales could provide Moscow with additional export revenue, while increased supply may affect fuel markets. The report does not establish how much revenue Russia would receive or what effect the shipments will have on prices.

The announcement came as Ukraine was negotiating with U.S. officials. Zelensky criticized the timing and opposed easing sanctions without reciprocal steps to reduce hostilities. Ukraine has said it is willing to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries if Russia stops strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Moscow has sought sanctions relief, and Putin rejected an energy truce proposal on October 2. No reciprocal pause was announced alongside the diesel arrangement.

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Energy Truce Talks and Sanctions

The diesel agreement follows an earlier temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Russian oil, which Washington introduced during a market crisis linked in the report to the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. Trump has repeatedly urged Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil facilities, saying those attacks contributed to global fuel shortages and higher prices. Those statements are his explanation for the pressure; the supplied report does not independently quantify the attacks’ effect on fuel prices.

Sources told The Kyiv Independent that Russian authorities had asked Washington to lift sanctions as part of discussions about an “energy truce.” Ukrainian officials said Kyiv was prepared to halt attacks on Russian refineries if Russia stopped targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Putin rejected the idea on October 2, saying a halt in strikes alone would not resolve high diesel prices unless sanctions on Russia were also lifted.

The deal was announced as negotiations were reported to be resuming. A Ukrainian delegation was reportedly meeting U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami on October 9 and 10. Reuters reported that national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France and Germany, along with representatives of NATO and the European Union, had been invited. Axios reported that U.S. negotiators planned to present new proposals to Ukraine and then discuss them with Russia; the proposals’ contents were not reported.

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Terms and Proposals Still Undisclosed

The report does not provide a signed agreement, a detailed schedule for shipments beyond the volumes Trump cited, or the names of companies that would handle sales. It is also unclear how the Treasury license applies to particular transactions and whether further sanctions changes are planned. The White House and Treasury details available in the report do not explain whether the deal includes conditions or commitments from Russia beyond supplying fuel.

The contents of the U.S. proposals to Ukraine and the subsequent discussions planned with Russia have not been made public. It remains unclear whether the diesel arrangement is formally connected to those negotiations, whether the invited European and NATO representatives took part, or whether Washington and Moscow agreed to any reciprocal reduction in attacks. Zelensky’s description of Ukraine as a “front” is his assessment of the process; the report does not independently establish the negotiators’ intentions.

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Miami Talks and Diesel Deliveries

The Ukrainian delegation’s reported meetings with Witkoff and Kushner were scheduled for October 9 and 10 in Miami. The next developments to watch are whether U.S. officials disclose the proposals presented to Kyiv, whether Ukraine or Russia responds, and whether European or NATO participants confirm their role. No timetable for a broader peace agreement was reported.

On energy, Russia said it could begin additional deliveries in October and increase exports in November and December as refineries return from repairs. The Treasury license remains in place through April 7, 2027, unless changed earlier. The source report does not say when the first shipment will arrive, which market will receive it, or whether Kyiv and Moscow will agree to a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure.

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Key Questions

What did Trump announce about Russian diesel?

Trump said the U.S. and Russia agreed to supply Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets, including more than 300,000 metric tons for immediate delivery, 500,000 metric tons in November and a further million metric tons.

What did the U.S. change about sanctions?

The Treasury Department issued a temporary license permitting Russian diesel sales on the global market through April 7, 2027, despite U.S. sanctions. The report does not specify the participating companies or buyers.

Why did Zelensky say Ukraine was being used as a front?

Zelensky made the accusation after the diesel deal was announced, while a Ukrainian delegation was reportedly meeting U.S. negotiators. He objected to easing sanctions without an agreement on de-escalation. The contents of the U.S. proposals and the relationship between the fuel deal and the talks have not been disclosed.

Was an energy truce agreed?

No energy truce was reported. Ukrainian officials had said Kyiv was willing to stop attacking Russian refineries if Russia stopped strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Putin rejected the proposal on October 2, and the diesel announcement did not include a reported reciprocal pause.

Source: rss

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