Trump attacks Zelensky as US eases Russian diesel sanctions
President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of harming U. S. interests as the United States announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, and European leaders discussed gaps in financing Ukraine's war effort on October 18. The criticism followed a series of moves in which Trump signed executive orders that delayed, suspended, or waived a bipartisan sanctions package against Russia; the actions drew rebuke from Zelensky, members of Congress and U.
S. senators. Zelensky had earlier warned that the diesel agreement could open the door to additional energy contracts and broader sanctions relief, a view echoed by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev.