Ukraine Caucus
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Trump agrees Russian diesel deal with Putin, attacks Zelensky over refinery strikes
On 9 October, US President Donald Trump announced a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in which they agreed on the supply of between 300,000 and 3 million tonnes of Russian diesel fuel to US and global markets. The US Treasury issued a general licence authorising the transactions through 7 April 2027, and the Kremlin lifted early its July 2026 ban on diesel exports. Trump publicly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of being able to end the war but choosing not to and suggesting Ukraine needs a new president. Zelensky called the decision 'unfair and dishonest' and an 'obvious weakness' that plays into Russia's hands. Talks among US, Ukrainian, European and NATO officials in Miami ended early, and bipartisan US lawmakers announced a bill to block the purchases.