Trump's Russia diesel deal plan sparks Zelenskyy backlash

Following discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump announced plans for Russia to resume diesel supplies to the United States and international markets. The proposal aims to address global energy supply concerns and potentially stabilise commodity prices.

However, the announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv. Zelenskyy contended that permitting Russian energy exports would effectively provide financial resources to sustain Moscow's military operations in Ukraine, describing the arrangement as an indirect investment in the ongoing conflict.

The dispute highlights the tension between Trump's approach to normalising economic relations with Russia and Ukraine's position that such measures would strengthen Moscow's capacity to continue its invasion. Energy exports represent a significant revenue stream for the Russian government, particularly since Western sanctions have restricted its access to global markets.

The proposal underscores broader disagreement over strategies to resolve the Ukraine conflict, with the incoming U.S. administration signalling a shift toward pragmatic engagement with Russia while Kyiv warns against measures that could undermine its negotiating position.