Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports, labeling it “definitely unfair,” “definitely not partner-like” and “a weak decision by strong partners.” He accused Washington of secretly negotiating with Moscow while Ukraine sought peace talks in Miami.
In a voice memo sent to Western journalists Friday, Zelensky alleged Trump used Ukrainian negotiations as a “smokescreen” for pursuing a separate agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“You know, it looks like a happy birthday present for Putin. It looks absolutely terrible,” he told reporters during an interview referencing the Russian leader’s 74th birthday.
Trump initially dismissed questions about Zelensky calling him “weak” but later defended the move as necessary to ease global fuel prices, stating: “We need oil for the world and this is diesel, which is what we need.”
The U.S. Treasury issued a six-month sanctions waiver allowing Russian diesel exports following Trump’s announcement that Moscow would supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, with additional shipments planned for November and beyond.
Trump has repeatedly blamed Ukraine for exacerbating the global fuel crisis, accusing Zelenskiy of deliberately targeting Russian refining capacity. During an Ireland visit last month, Trump demanded: “Zelensky has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia… Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting the world.”
Trump claimed Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries now drive soaring U.S. fuel prices—a stance echoed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who linked strikes to a broader global “energy shock.” Despite repeated warnings, Zelenskiy pledged intensified long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities. A senior Ukrainian official stated Kiev would ignore Washington’s deal with Moscow and “burn their refineries.”
U.S. diesel prices surged to record highs above $6.50 per gallon in September.
