Trumps mega U-turn: US signs oil deal with Russia, Zelenskyy calls move unworthy
Russia has faced several rounds of sanctions from the United States and its allies since it invaded Ukraine in 2022.
PTC News Desk: US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply large quantities of diesel to global markets. The announcement came as Trump eased some sanctions on Moscow in an effort to bring down fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.
Russia has faced several rounds of sanctions from the United States and its allies since it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Trump’s decision, calling it “unworthy” and “weak”.
The agreement comes just weeks before key US elections, in which Trump’s Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of Congress. Rising living costs have become a major concern for American voters.
Fuel prices in the US have increased sharply since late February, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran led Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy supplies.
"Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace," Trump said on social media after talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin said Russia had reaffirmed its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the US and international markets.
Trump said Russia would supply 500,000 tonnes of diesel in November, followed by one million tonnes, with further and larger supplies expected later.
Reacting to the announcement, Zelensky told reporters that the decision was unfair to Ukraine’s partners and showed weakness.
On Friday, the US Treasury issued a temporary licence allowing Russian diesel to reach global markets until April 2027.
“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority,” Trump wrote on social media.
The average price of regular petrol in the US has risen by more than 46% since late February to $4.37 per gallon. Diesel prices have climbed by 67% to $6.28 per gallon over the same period.
Trump has blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for the rise in fuel prices. However, the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has been a major factor disrupting global energy supplies.
US and Ukraine hold fresh peace talks
The announcement came as Ukrainian and US negotiators met in Miami on Friday in another attempt to break the deadlock in the war.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said the two sides held constructive discussions on possible ways to reduce tensions and end the war with Russia before winter.
The meeting followed visits to Moscow and Kyiv last month by Witkoff, a close associate of Trump, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. Washington has been trying to restart peace negotiations, but previous efforts have made little progress.
With winter approaching, concerns are growing over continued fighting and attacks on important infrastructure. The urgency for a peace agreement has increased following deadly Russian attacks.
On Thursday, a Russian strike targeting buses in the frontline Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk killed 30 people.
Trump’s repeated efforts to end the war have faced difficulties because of Russia’s extensive territorial demands. Moscow has insisted on taking control of the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, including areas that remain under Ukrainian control.
Zelensky has rejected giving up Ukrainian-held territory, warning that Russia could use those areas as a base for future attacks.
Russia currently controls around one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
Witkoff said the Miami talks also covered security guarantees, long-term security arrangements for Ukraine and Europe, measures to prevent future conflicts, and support for Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war.
Representatives from Britain, France and Germany also attended the discussions, along with officials from NATO and the European Union.