Yuri Ushakov
Yuri Ushakov is a Russian diplomat and state official who served for many years as an aide to the President of the Russian Federation on foreign policy matters. Before joining the Kremlin, he spent more than two decades as Russia's Ambassador to the United States. In his role he has been responsible for preparing and supporting the president's international contacts, including summits and negotiations with foreign leaders.
-
Trump and Putin agree Russian diesel deal, Trump urges Ukraine to "choose a new president"
On 9 October 2026, US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a phone call in which they agreed on the supply of between 300,000 and 3 million tons of Russian diesel fuel to the American and global markets, with the Kremlin having lifted its July 2026 export ban early. Putin used the call to blame Ukraine for the lack of progress in peace talks and to reiterate Russia's maximalist war aims, while Trump publicly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying it was "time for Ukraine to choose a new president" and accusing Zelensky of being able to end the war but choosing not to. Zelensky called the move "weak" and a "gift" to Putin, Ukrainian-led talks in Miami ended early, and a bipartisan US congressional effort emerged to block Russian oil purchases.