Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel amounts to choosing Moscow’s side, deepening a rupture between Washington and Kyiv over how to pressure Vladimir Putin to end the war.
Zelenskyy Says Trump Chose Moscow’s Side
“It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side,” Zelenskyy told Piers Morgan Uncensored on Wednesday. “This is not the right side of history.” He said Trump could remain between Russia and Ukraine, but “if you are in the middle, you have to stay in the middle.” Asked whether he felt betrayed, Zelenskyy replied, “Really, yes,” adding, “It’s a pity we are losing (a) strong partner.”
Trump agreed last week to temporarily ease restrictions on Russian diesel after Russia agreed to initially supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets. Reuters reported the administration hopes additional supply will lower fuel prices ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. The move has triggered bipartisan criticism in Washington.
The White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.
Trump Defends Deal, Pressures Ukraine Further
Trump has defended the arrangement. “Anything that could help our farmers, our ranchers, I like,” he said Monday, dismissing Republican critics as people who “can’t really be serious.” His administration has separately argued that restricted global diesel supplies have hurt farmers, truckers and workers, while the White House has also temporarily relaxed federal diesel-tax rules to lower costs.
Trump has simultaneously blamed Kyiv’s strikes on Russian refineries for worsening diesel shortages. “He better damn well stop,” Trump said of Zelenskyy, while calling for Ukraine to choose “a new leader who can make a deal.” Trump has also insisted that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an energy ceasefire, although Zelenskyy says Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have continued.
Zelenskyy argues sanctions relief sends Moscow the opposite message. After a Russian strike killed 20 people in Zaporizhzhia, including three children, he said Russia interprets “any easing of pressure as a signal that it can supposedly keep fighting.”
Diesel Deal Draws Wider Political Backlash
The diesel deal has also divided Trump’s own party. A bipartisan group of senators said Russian fuel revenue would “undoubtedly finance” Moscow’s war and questioned whether the administration can bypass a 2022 law restricting Russian energy imports. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), however, has backed Trump’s shift, arguing sanctions helped raise prices for Americans.
European criticism has grown as well. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday called the deal a “very risky choice,” arguing it could weaken pressure on Putin to negotiate.
Photo courtesy: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com
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