Kyiv, Ukraine, October 10 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday expressed disappointment over the United States’ diesel deal with Russia, asserting that Moscow relies on prolonged warfare, terror against civilians and the destruction of infrastructure. He added that the relief offered by the deal signals that “the attacks can continue.”
In a post on X, Zelenskyy criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel to American and global markets. He pointed to the latest wave of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities using jet-powered Shahed drones.
“The meaning of allowing Russia to sell petroleum products was heard loudest right now in Kyiv, when, after numerous uses of jet-powered ‘Shaheds’ against energy facilities, a ballistic missile attack also began. Some of the missiles were successfully shot down,” he wrote.
Zelenskyy said Russia was counting on prolonging the war, terrorizing civilians and devastating essential infrastructure through continued attacks and the new deal with the United States. He claimed Moscow would use “every additional billion dollars” earned from petroleum product exports to develop and expand its arsenal and deploy more mercenaries to the front lines.
He asserted that the conflict would end only when Russia no longer saw any potential in prolonging it.
“This once again clearly demonstrates what Russia’s true intentions are. They are counting on prolonging the war, terror against ordinary people, and the destruction of infrastructure. Every additional billion dollars they can earn from exports, they will spend precisely on this—on sourcing and importing critical components, equipment for weapons production, on enhancing ‘Shaheds’ and manufacturing missiles, and on hiring even more mercenaries for the front lines. Russia’s choice is war. And they will only be ready to end it when they sense that the potential to drag it out is diminishing,” he added.
Criticizing the proposed Russian oil and petroleum product supplies to the United States, Zelenskyy said the deal appeared to signal that strikes would continue rather than bring the ongoing war to an end. He called on partners, including the United States and Europe, to support Ukraine and limit Russia’s ability to wage war.
“Yesterday, unfortunately, there were entirely different signals for Russia—signals that it seems attacks can continue. And this needs to be corrected. Strong signals are needed from the United States, from Europe, from other partners. In support of Ukraine and to RESTRICT Russia’s ability to wage war and terrorize people. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the proposed supply of Russian oil and petroleum products to the United States and global markets would have a positive impact on the global economy. His remarks followed a telephone conversation with Trump on Friday, during which the two leaders also discussed Ukraine and Iran, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“In discussing the global energy situation, Russia reaffirmed its readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to the U.S. and global markets. I am confident that this will have a positive impact on the entire global economy,” Putin said.
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, the leaders discussed preparations for major economic initiatives, including possible supplies of Russian petroleum products to the United States and global markets.
On Ukraine, Ushakov said Putin maintained that Kyiv’s attempts to halt the advance of Russian troops along the entire line of contact through strikes deep inside Russia had no prospect of success.
“It was stressed that Kyiv’s attempts to halt the advance of Russian troops along the entire line of contact by striking deep inside our country have no prospect of success,” Ushakov said. “Our Armed Forces hold the initiative across the entire front and are steadily advancing,” he added, conveying Putin’s position.
Ushakov said Putin’s position on the goals and objectives of Russia’s military operation remained unchanged, while Moscow continued to express its readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement aimed at achieving “a lasting, sustainable peace.”
He said the leaders had previously discussed the possibility of resuming trilateral talks involving the United States and Ukraine immediately after the State Duma elections. However, Ushakov claimed that Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow, other cities and polling stations on the main voting day had prevented an immediate resumption of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Trump on Friday hailed the diesel deal with Russia as a “big deal,” thanking Putin for agreeing to supply “massive amounts” of diesel to the United States.
“I think you heard about the oil deal with Russia. That is a big deal. That is massive amounts of oil coming into our country. I want to thank President Putin. We have massive amounts of oil coming into our country, and it is diesel, which is what we want,” Trump told reporters outside the White House before departing for Syracuse, New York, for the midterm election campaign.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, followed by another 500,000 tonnes during November and 1 million tonnes immediately thereafter. He said a further 3 million tonnes would follow within a short period, depending on the condition of Russia’s diesel refineries. (ANI)
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