ZELENSKY CRIES BETRAYAL AFTER TRUMP PRIORITIZES AMERICAN FUEL PRICES OVER ENDLESS UKRAINE AID
President Trump cut a deal with Vladimir Putin to bring Russian diesel onto global markets and temporarily lift sanctions, aiming to drop sky-high fuel prices for American farmers, truckers, and families ahead of the midterms. Zelensky immediately called it a betrayal and a gift to Putin that invests in prolonging the war.
The arrangement, announced after a call between the two leaders, has Russia releasing more than 300,000 tons of diesel right away, another 500,000 tons in November, and a million more after that, with further volumes possible depending on the condition of its refineries. The Treasury issued a temporary license allowing Russian diesel exports until April 2027. U.S. diesel had climbed past six dollars a gallon amid the Iran conflict and Ukrainian strikes that prompted Russia to ban its own diesel exports.
A U.S. official told Axios that Trump moved forward only after Zelensky ignored roughly half a dozen requests to stop bombing Russian oil refineries, which were driving up costs for American consumers. During talks in Florida, Ukrainian negotiators were informed the deal was coming. Zelensky later said his team was used as a smokescreen.
Zelensky told Piers Morgan the decision was painful. “It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side,” he said. “But we are okay that he’s in the middle. But if you’re in the middle, you have to stay in the middle. Not on the wrong side.” He accused Trump’s advisers of pushing him the wrong way and added that Russia would repay the diesel with more terror.
Trump responded bluntly. He told reporters it was time for Ukraine to get a new president who can actually make a deal, noting Zelensky could have ended the war many times but chooses not to. He specifically blamed the Ukrainian leader for creating problems for the world and American farmers by striking Russian refineries.
Europe has kept buying Russian energy for years while lecturing others about sanctions. Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure continue, and Russian strikes on Ukrainian power plants and cities have not stopped. Zelensky has also complained that SpaceX restricted Starlink access at night, which he said disrupted Ukrainian military operations and cost lives.
The deal is modest relative to global diesel demand and is framed by the White House as a practical step to ease costs at the pump rather than a strategic realignment. Critics in Kyiv and some European capitals see it as undercutting pressure on Moscow. Supporters view it as putting American interests first after years of massive taxpayer aid to Ukraine with little progress toward peace.
Sources: New York Post, Axios, BBC, Reuters, The Guardian, Kyiv Post, Al Jazeera, New York Times.