<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/volodymyr-zelensky/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> criticized President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> regarding a deal with Russia to supply millions of tons of diesel fuel to global markets, marking one of his most direct criticisms of Trump to date.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump announced the deal on Friday in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117412435306815143" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">post</a> on Truth Social following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This deal represents a significant shift in U.S. policy since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Zelensky condemned the deal, stating it undermines Ukraine's strategy to reduce Moscow's revenue from diesel exports. He expressed stronger criticism of Trump than in previous statements.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“At this very moment, while our team is talking with the American team in Florida, at this very moment, the President of the United States is talking with the leader of the Kremlin, the leader of this war, the leader of this aggression. And has an agreement under which America is allowing Russia to export diesel fuel. That means more money for this war, more money to inflict suffering on us, without a doubt. It only feeds Putin and gives him the ability to fight even more,” Zelensky stated.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Zelensky further criticized Trump for making a “weak” decision that he believes is unfair to Kyiv’s negotiators and detrimental to peace efforts.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“And at this very moment, while we are talking about peace, America is allowing Russia to export diesel fuel. This means — I don’t know for certain — millions, billions. In any case, all that money goes toward the war against people, against Ukraine, against all of us. I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen. And that is certainly not fair. It is certainly not how partners should treat each other. In my view, this is a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners,” Zelensky concluded.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Zelensky's criticism may not be well-received by Trump, who has had a fluctuating relationship with the Ukrainian leader. Their interactions have varied over time, including a notable meeting on February 28 where Trump and Vice President JD Vance suggested Zelensky was ungrateful for U.S. aid.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Parts of Zelensky’s statement were <a href="https://x.com/clashreport/status/2108667045151940612?s=20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">communicated</a> to Trump outside the White House by a reporter, but he dismissed it. Trump later praised Russia for the diesel deal during a rally in Syracuse, New York.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4761534/trump-diesel-fuel-deal-russia-elevated-prices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TRUMP ANNOUNCES DIESEL FUEL DEAL WITH RUSSIA TO ADDRESS ELEVATED PRICES</a></strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The deal aims to reduce diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections, which have recently surged. The increase in prices has been attributed to Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign targeting Russian refineries and ongoing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During the Syracuse rally on Friday evening, Trump claimed that oil prices are “tumbling down like you’ve never seen before” and urged “refiners and retailers” to lower their gas prices.</p>