Key facts
- Trump defended waiving sanctions on Russia and a deal to buy diesel.
- Trump claimed he is negotiating peace in the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Trump stated Zelensky's attacks on Russian oil refineries are hurting global diesel markets.
- Trump accused Zelensky of not wanting to end the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on October 18 to defend his recent decisions regarding Russia, including waiving sanctions, a deal to buy diesel, and pressuring Ukraine to stop targeting oil refineries. Trump claimed these moves are part of his diplomatic plan to negotiate peace in the Russia-Ukraine war. He stated that Russia is not helping Iran in the war with the U.S. and is instead helping the international community by supplying diesel at a low price. Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, asserting that Zelensky's attacks on Russian oil refineries are harming global diesel markets, including those in the United States. He further accused Zelensky of prolonging the war and stated that Ukraine is in a dire state.