Volodymyr Zelensky criticizes the U.S. decision to allow Russia to export diesel, saying it fuels the war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the United States’ decision to allow Russia to export diesel to the American and global markets, calling it “a weak decision by strong partners.” The reaction was posted on social media after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel.

Zelensky said the revenues earned by Moscow would provide additional funds for the war against Ukraine and allow Vladimir Putin to continue the offensive. The Ukrainian leader said the timing of the announcement was particularly painful for Kyiv, as a high-level Ukrainian delegation had arrived in Miami for talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

During the same period, Russia intensified air attacks on Ukrainian cities amid a critical shortage of missiles for air defense. An attack on a bus station in eastern Ukraine on Thursday killed more than 30 people, according to the cited reports.

Former U.S. officials questioned whether Russia actually possesses the amount of diesel Trump said was available for sale. Zelensky stressed that while Ukrainian and U.S. teams were conducting negotiations, Trump was speaking directly with Vladimir Putin, whom he called the leader of the aggression against Ukraine.