Zelenskyy blames Trump diesel deal for recent Russian attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States' decision to allow Russian diesel exports was a "gift" to President Vladimir Putin and would enable Moscow to finance its war effort. He linked the policy change to a wave of Russian attacks that killed 15 civilians, including three children, in the country's southeast on Saturday.

"Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia," Zelenskyy posted on social media.

European leaders responded by reaffirming support for Kyiv and announcing new sanctions. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said the diesel deal would give Moscow additional revenue for the war and that the EU would add about 1,600 individuals and entities to its sanctions list. German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius reiterated Germany's commitment to existing sanctions, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed regret over the U.S. agreement, calling the energy revenues a vital source of funding for Russia's aggression.

The Kremlin described the call between President Donald Trump and President Putin as "very substantive and friendly," while a Russian foreign-policy aide noted the leaders hung up the phone simultaneously. Zelenskyy warned that any easing of pressure would allow Russia to continue bombing Ukrainian cities and said Ukraine would consider de-escalatory steps only if Russia did the same.