Key facts
- Zelensky believes gas deals will follow the diesel agreement, leading to further sanctions relief.
- Ukraine is concerned about the release of frozen Russian assets.
- Russia offered no concessions in return for sanctions relief on diesel.
- Trump blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for rising fuel prices.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on October 16 that a U.S. diesel deal with Russia risks paving the way for further sanctions relief for Moscow. Zelensky said such agreements could lead to the normalization of relations with Russia, despite no signs of a ceasefire.
"In my view, we cannot accept these agreements. Because gas deals will follow. And I am absolutely certain of this. After gas, they will lift sanctions on other things as well," Zelensky told reporters in Brussels. He expressed concern over the fate of frozen Russian assets, which European diplomats previously told the Kyiv Independent that Moscow was seeking their release from the United States in exchange for agreeing to an energy ceasefire with Ukraine.