We would have accepted "diesel deal" if US had provided us with some ballistic missile interceptors to protect our energy infrastructure – Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had not been informed about the US ‘diesel deal’ with Russia or the easing of sanctions.
He made these remarks whilst speaking to journalists, according to Censor.NET.
The diesel deal
"We didn’t know about the ‘diesel deal’, OK. The lifting of sanctions was also a ‘surprise’ for everyone, OK. But if this is linked to our responses on enemy territory, where our people are being killed, I think we need to be consulted about it.
I think we should be aware of this. We only received information after the relevant events had taken place," he said.
What did Ukraine propose?
"Our proposal was simple. We supported an ‘energy truce’ straight away. If that’s not possible, then propose at least some sort of ‘ceasefire’. If that’s not possible, and it depends on the Russian Federation, and they don’t want it, we received a signal from the American side.
My proposal was this: OK, we’re partners; of course, you need this; you’ve decided you need it, even though all the analysis suggests it won’t affect the price, but never mind. And you need this, but they (Russia – Ed.) will attack our power grid; if there is no energy ceasefire, then give us anti-ballistic missiles so that I can protect our energy infrastructure. Don’t give us too many. I didn’t get that," Zelenskyy emphasised.
In Zelenskyy’s view, this seems strange.
US–Russia diesel deal and threats against Ukraine
- On October 9, US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Russian dictator Putin and reached an agreement on Russian diesel supplies to US and global markets.
- According to him, Russia would "immediately" supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets, another 500,000 tonnes during November, and a further one million tonnes "immediately after that."
- The US Treasury Department announced that, at Trump’s direction, the Office of Foreign Assets Control was immediately issuing a temporary general license authorizing Russian diesel supplies to the global market.
- In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called permission for Russia to sell petroleum products an "investment in war" and urged the US to hold firm talks with Moscow and impose sanctions under Lindsey Graham’s legislation.
- Axios reported that, during talks in Miami, US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had allegedly warned the Ukrainian side that access to US intelligence could be cut off if Ukraine continued striking Russian oil refineries.
- On October 11, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine would be ready to halt strikes on Russian refineries if Russia stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
- That same day, US President Donald Trump announced the start of an energy truce between Ukraine and Russia.
- In comments to Axios, Zelenskyy said US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the start of an "energy truce" had come as a surprise to the Ukrainian side.
- The president later said Ukraine was ready to refrain from striking Russia’s energy sector provided Russia took similar steps.
