Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday hit out at the reported deal between the US and Russia allowing Moscow to provide Washington with diesel, branding it a gift that Russia would repay with “terror”.
“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world,” the Ukrainian president wrote on social media, shortly after US president Donald Trump announced that Moscow would supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel following a “highly successful” discussion between leaders.
“Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and perfidy,” Zelensky said. “Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. What is needed is real de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis.”
Donald Trump last month ordered Ukraine to stop striking Russian diesel infrastructure, saying the attacks were causing a shortage of the fuel that is “hurting the world”. Fallout from the US war with Iran has also driven up the cost of diesel in recent months.
The deal on diesel comes in spite of Washington’s reported efforts to push for an ‘energy ceasefire’, by which Russia and Ukraine would agree to stop striking vital energy infrastructure. Zelensky had signalled willingness to agree to a deal, with disruption to energy likely to bite in the cold winter months.
The crippling effect of the deadlock in Ukraine’s war with Russia
Global food prices could climb by more than nine per cent this year as a deadly escalation between Russia and Ukraine around the Black Sea threatens vital grain exports, analysts have warned.
Ukrainian exports fell an astonishing 75 per cent year-on-year in the first two weeks of August as Russia stepped up its attacks, striking ports more than 70 times in July and early August and hitting vessels on 62 occasions, according to port authorities.
Kyiv says the attacks threaten $40bn in crucial export revenue, worth 1.5 per cent of GDP, while hundreds of millions of people reliant on Ukrainian grain around the world stand to go without.
Why it matters:
The government wants UK households to stock up on nine items. Here’s what to buy
UK households should keep small supplies of cash, bottled water and tinned food at home in case of emergency or war, the Defence Secretary has warned.
Wes Streeting said Britain faces a growing threat of being disrupted by fires, floods, and enemy attacks, including cyber warfare.
He called for a "whole society approach" to strengthen national resilience, though he insisted people should remain "alert not alarmed" regarding potential risks:
Russian envoy 'asked for licenses to export diesel to the US' during visit
Russian Envoy Kirill Dmitriev, during his visit to Washington, asked for licenses to export diesel to the US market to be granted to all of Russia's major oil firms, sources familiar with the situation tell Reuters.
In full: UK says it is committed to supporting Ukraine and pressuring Russia, after US diesel deal with Moscow
The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Ukraine and will maintain pressure on Russia through sanctions, a government spokesperson said on Friday, after US President Donald Trump announced a deal for Russia to supply diesel to the US and the global market.
"The UK's position could not be clearer. We will continue working closely with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the military and financial support it needs to defend itself. We will also maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK," the spokesperson said.
Why North Korea is at the heart of South Korea’s rift with Ukraine
The unusual public confrontation between Ukraine and South Korea has raised questions about how relations between two nations facing the consequences of growing Russian-North Korean military cooperation deteriorated so sharply. Shweta Sharma reports
UK vows toughest sanctions ever imposed on Russia
The British government, responding to the US-Russian deal on diesel, says the UK will maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK.
Russia signals little interest in returning to peace talks soon as winter looms
Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump on Friday that Kyiv undermined the possibility of an immediate Ukraine peace talks resumption after it had hit Moscow with drones during last month's election, the Kremlin said.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov also said Putin and Trump discussed major economic initiatives during the phone call, including potential supplies of Russian fuel.
Trump ignores Zelensky's criticism of Putin diesel deal
Donald Trump evaded a reporter’s comment on Volodymyr Zelensky’s criticism of the diesel deal with Russia on Friday.
“Zelensky said you're weak because of the Putin deal. He just criticized you,” a reporter put to the US president.
“Who said that?” Trump asked.
“Zelensky. He said you're weak,” the reporter clarified.
Trump ignored the question.
Witkoff: US-Ukrainian talks 'productive'
US special envoy Steve Witkoff says that during talks with the Ukrainian delegation, participants committed to further diplomatic efforts.
The exchange was productive and helped identity areas for further exploration, he says.
Trump wished Putin 'success and wellbeing' during 1.5hr call - Kremlin
The Kremlin says that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke for around an hour and a half during a call on Friday, as a Ukrainian delegation arrived in Miami for talks with a US team.
US president Trump was said to have welcomed Russia’s involvement in a peace settlement with Iran.
Putin reportedly told Trump he would think about when to resume talks on a peace settlement with Ukraine. Much of the call was devoted to the question of the settlement, the Kremlin says.
The leaders also reportedly discussed large-scale economic initiatives, including Russian fuel supplies.
Trump apparently “warmly congratulated” Putin on his birthday on Wednesday and wished him success and wellbeing on the call.