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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that easing sanctions on Russia without an agreement to de-escalate would show “obvious weakness”, after US President Donald Trump announced a diesel supply deal following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a post on the social media platform “X”, Zelenskyy said he had met a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress in Kyiv earlier in the day. He said he had urged stronger sanctions and pressure on Russia, as well as further support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said Russia’s recent increase in airstrikes was an attempt to make up for its inability to achieve its battlefield objectives. He accused Moscow of seeking “backroom deals” to ease pressure and gain more time and opportunities to continue the war.
“Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness,” he said.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv remained ready to take reciprocal steps towards de-escalation. He described Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and other facilities as a response to Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged,” he said, adding that “real de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis” was needed.
Trump described his discussion with Putin as “highly successful” in a post on his “Truth Social” platform. He said Russia had agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to US and global markets.
Trump said Russia would supply a further 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter”. Another 3 million tons would be delivered “within a short period”, he said, depending on the condition of Russian diesel refineries.
