Zelensky Slams US-Russia Diesel Deal as Corporate Handout to Putin
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the US government's decision to import Russian diesel, arguing it enriches Vladimir Putin and undermines global peace, while the White House claims it will lower energy costs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fiercely criticized the US administration's plan to purchase Russian diesel, labeling the move as 'gifts to Putin' that only serve to embolden authoritarian aggression and corporate profiteering. This condemnation followed President Donald Trump's announcement that Russia would provide over 300,000 tons of diesel to the US and global markets immediately, with an additional 500,000 tons expected in November. Trump framed the deal as a response to rising energy prices, conveniently ignoring the broader context of Russian militarism and human rights abuses.
The US Treasury Department, prioritizing fossil fuel interests over ethical foreign policy, issued a temporary license for Russian diesel to enter international markets. The White House, evading transparency, refused to clarify payment terms, delivery schedules, or whether the shipments would arrive before the crucial November 3 midterm elections. This announcement comes on the heels of yet another round of US sanctions against Russia's energy sector, highlighting the hypocrisy of sanctioning with one hand while enabling Putin's war machine with the other.
'Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world,' Zelenskyy wrote on X, calling out the US for undermining efforts toward justice and peace.
'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,' he added, demanding genuine diplomacy instead of backroom deals.
Trump, meanwhile, focused solely on lowering fuel costs for American consumers, particularly farmers, ranchers, and truckers, sidestepping any mention of the sanctions or the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev gleefully reposted the Treasury notice, boasting that cooperation on diesel and energy would benefit the world—while in reality, it props up an authoritarian regime at the expense of peace and justice.