Zelenskyy slams US-Russia diesel deal, backs greater European role in peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday condemned a diesel agreement between US President Donald Trump and Russia as an ‘additional source of income’ for Moscow to support its war effort. Though he accepted that European partners should have a say in end-game talks.

“The conclusion of a new deal for Russia is beneficial for Russia,” Zelenskyy stated at a Brussels summit of the European Union.

“And now we can see how cash will start coming back into Russia through the diesel deal,” said Zelenskyy.

“This diesel deal will never compensate for the Strait of Hormuz’s impact on the world’s markets. But it will add more cash directly into Putin’s wallet to finance this war,” he said.

He further claimed that Moscow’s so-called peace “parody” is just Vladimir Putin giving no real effort to negotiate peace.

He was optimistic about the European allies becoming more active and playing “a more active role” as “real leaders.”

The agreement has further frayed Washington-Kyiv ties as Trump looks to rekindle negotiations to bring Russia’s war in Ukraine to an end. US and global markets would have access to Russian diesel if the pact goes through, angering Ukraine and some US policymakers.

Zelenskyy’s remarks, meanwhile, were made as Ukraine pressed for increased European financial and military aid amid continued Russian strikes.