Petteri Orpo
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Trump announces Putin diesel deal; Kyiv, European leaders criticize US sanctions easing
On October 9, US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume Russian diesel fuel exports to American and global markets. The US Treasury immediately issued a temporary general license lifting sanctions on Russian-origin diesel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the move a "weak decision" and a "birthday gift to Putin," while European leaders including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the bloc's largest sanctions package against Russia since the war began. Ukraine said it would continue striking Russian refineries despite the deal.