Accra:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed dissatisfaction with US President Donald Trump's decision to allow Russia to export diesel by lifting sanctions. He described the move as "not fair and not honest."
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy remarked in an Axios interview that the deal seemed like a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin and appeared "absolutely terrible." He revealed that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner failed to mention this potential deal during their recent discussions.
Zelenskyy noted that his negotiators in Florida informed him shortly before Trump's announcement that a conversation with Putin and a potential sanctions decision were imminent. He criticized the timing, saying it undermined the diplomatic process.
Despite the criticism, Zelenskyy indicated he would have supported sanction relief if it led to a halt in attacks on energy infrastructure during the winter. He questioned the benefits of the diesel deal for the US and suggested it might weaken global positions.
Zelenskyy plans to further discuss the situation with his negotiating team to understand the implications of the Florida talks and the diesel agreement. Meanwhile, Trump described his phone call with Putin as a "highly successful discussion," leading to a significant diesel supply agreement. Putin emphasized the potential benefits of this deal for the global economy and mentioned ongoing discussions on various international issues.