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Ukraine hit by deadly Russian strikes as ‘thanks’ for Trump diesel deal, Zelenskyy says
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the US, under Donald Trump, of indirectly funding Russia’s war by agreeing to buy large quantities of Russian diesel, which he said Russia used to finance deadly strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
- The diesel deal, announced by Trump ahead of the US midterm elections, blindsided Kyiv and disrupted four years of Western sanctions aimed at pressuring Moscow, prompting outrage from Zelenskyy and European leaders.
- Hours after the deal, Russia launched a barrage of strikes in southeastern Ukraine, killing 15 people, including children, and causing widespread power outages in Kyiv, which Zelenskyy linked directly to the easing of sanctions.
- European officials, including the EU’s top diplomat and leaders from Germany and Sweden, condemned the deal, emphasizing continued commitment to sanctions and warning that increased Russian revenues would prolong the war.
- Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for de-escalation only if Russia reciprocates and rejected Trump’s requests to halt Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, insisting Russia must first stop targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
