The announcement of an agreement on the supply of Russian diesel fuel became the focus of phone calls between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders. On October 10, Zelenskiy spoke with United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
US President Donald Trump had announced the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskiy had previously described the agreement as "completely terrible" and "unfair," saying that easing sanctions pressure on Moscow without clear, long-term agreements aimed at reducing tensions would not bring peace.
Zelenskiy opposed easing sanctions pressure
The Ukrainian president said allowing Russia to sell petroleum products amounted to investing in the continuation of the war. Zelenskiy argued that Moscow would continue its attacks on Ukraine and its "evil" in exchange for these concessions.
Zelenskiy also said that easing sanctions would enable Russia to continue its war activities and serve efforts to reduce international pressure.
Attacks and energy infrastructure in Ukraine
Zelenskiy claimed that attacks on Ukraine increased after the decision to lift sanctions against Russian oligarchs in Europe. He cited a missile strike on a residential building in Pryluky, air-bomb attacks targeting city buses in Kramatorsk, and attacks on energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa and other cities.
The Ukrainian president alleged that Russia was trying to compensate for its inability to achieve its objectives on the battlefield and seeking to reduce international pressure in order to gain time and the means to continue the war.
Trump responds to Zelenskiy's criticism
Donald Trump addressed Zelenskiy's criticism of the diesel fuel agreement with Russia at a news conference on October 10. When a journalist said that Zelenskiy considered Trump weak because of the agreement, the US president asked, "Who said that?" After the journalist named Zelenskiy, Trump moved on to the next question.
Trump said that the world and the United States needed oil and supported diesel fuel shipments. He announced that the US Treasury Department had temporarily authorized these transactions until April 7, 2027.
The US president also alleged that Zelenskiy was deliberately avoiding ending the war. Trump argued that Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries were creating problems for the global economy and US farmers, and said that it was time for political change in Ukraine and that the country needed to elect a new president.
Sibiga backs the Ukrainian president
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga said that Zelenskiy was leading the country during a war for independence, freedom and dignity. Sibiga said that the Ukrainian president had the support of the Ukrainian people and that the right to make decisions belonged to the people.
Sibiga said that statements coming from abroad showed that Zelenskiy was carrying out his duties well, adding that the Ukrainian president deserved support.
