World · Europe · 7 hrs ago

Trump’s diesel deal with Putin deepens tensions with Ukraine

Trump’s diesel deal with Putin deepens tensions with Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has announced a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin as tensions with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have worsened.

Trump has blamed Ukraine for a global diesel shortage, although fuel prices have risen sharply during the US war against Iran.

Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian oil facilities, which help fund Russia’s war.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine would stop those attacks if Russia stopped striking Ukrainian energy facilities, but Moscow has not agreed.

Trump has also said Ukraine needs a new president, even though Ukrainian law bars elections during wartime.

The dispute matters because Ukraine relies on US intelligence and air-defence support, while Washington is also involved in talks about ending the war.

The deal has drawn criticism from officials in Europe and former US Vice President Mike Pence, while Ukraine says it is seeking US support for drone operations.

Sources

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