World · Europe · 55 mins ago
Zelenskyy defies Trump over planned Russian diesel imports
U.S. President Donald Trump plans to lift sanctions to allow imports of Russian diesel, a move that has angered Ukrainians as Russia continues air attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the plan a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin and approved further Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries.
Trump urged Ukraine to stop the strikes and called for Zelenskyy to be replaced as leader.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine will halt refinery strikes only if Moscow stops its air attacks, arguing that any steps to reduce tensions must be mutual.
The dispute matters because Ukraine relies on U.S. intelligence, Starlink internet service and weapons arranged through a program the Trump administration has threatened to halt.
Losing that support could disrupt supplies, while European allies are already struggling to rearm.
Zelenskyy has received support from Ukrainian opposition figures, but the dispute leaves his government weighing the risks of challenging Trump against the risks of giving in.
Donald Trump plans to lift sanctions on Moscow to allow imports of millions of tons of Russian diesel fuel.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the plan a “weak decision” and “a gift to Putin” that would fund Russia’s war.
Zelenskyy approved further Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries and said they would stop only if Moscow ended its air attacks.
Trump urged Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy as leader and told Ukraine to stop striking Russia’s energy industry.
The dispute risks further strain on Ukraine’s access to U.S. military support, including intelligence and weapons supplies.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump.
- What
- Zelenskyy opposed Trump’s plan to allow Russian diesel imports and continued strikes on Russian refineries.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026; it does not state when the imports would begin.
- Where
- The plan concerns diesel from Russia, and the dispute involves Ukraine and the United States.
- Why
- Zelenskyy said the imports would fund Russia’s war; he said Ukraine would halt refinery strikes only if Moscow stopped its air barrage.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Donald Trump
Russian diesel imports
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy called the plan a “weak decision” and “a gift to Putin” that would fund Russia’s war.
Donald Trump
Trump plans to lift sanctions on Moscow to allow imports of Russian diesel.
Strikes on Russian refineries
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy approved further strikes and said Ukraine would stop only if Moscow ceased its air barrage.
Donald Trump
Trump told Ukraine to stop striking Russia’s energy industry.
Trump planned to lift sanctions on Moscow to allow Russian diesel imports.
Zelenskyy called the plan a “weak decision” and “a gift to Putin.
Zelenskyy approved further drone strikes on Russian refineries.
Trump called for Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy and urged Ukraine to stop striking Russia’s energy industry.
- Diesel deal
- Millions of tons of fuel planned from Russia
- U.S. president
- Donald Trump
- Ukrainian president
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Ukrainian response
- Further drone strikes on Russian refineries
- Article publication
- October 13, 2026
What people are saying
Any de-escalation steps must be mutual.
If anyone needs a new leader, it is Russia,
how dangerous a wounded Trump could be
There’s no greater campaigner for Zelenskyy than Donald Trump
Sources
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