Zelenskyy: US used meeting with us to strike deal with Putin behind our backs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused US President Donald Trump's team of acting dishonestly by inviting a Ukrainian delegation to talks in the United States before striking a deal with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin behind its back to lift sanctions on Russian diesel.

Source: Zelenskyy in a telephone interview with Axios

Details: Zelenskyy said that a few days ago, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff proposed a meeting in Florida to discuss new American ideas for ending the war. However, during talks between the Ukrainian delegation and Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the US side did not once suggest that it was considering a deal with Russia to purchase millions of tonnes of diesel fuel.

It was only an hour before Trump's official announcement that the Ukrainian negotiators were informed that the US president planned to speak to Putin and lift sanctions. Zelenskyy stressed that this was unfair to Ukraine.

Quote: "Steve proposed to meet in Florida. And of course I accepted to go there and speak about the possibilities of negotiations. The Americans said they have some ideas and we agreed to come to discuss.

It's not honest, really, because we tried to build our relations in the best way. It looks like that they used this opportunity to meet us from one side, and from the other side called Putin and negotiate this."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that he would support easing energy sanctions only in exchange for an energy ceasefire. Instead, he said, the current situation demonstrated US weakness, as Washington had secured no concessions in return.

Quote: "What did [Trump] get? That he will have more diesel? For whom? More Russian diesel for Americans? It shows weakness of the world. It looks like Alaska No. 2.

You know, it looks like a happy birthday present for Putin. It looks absolutely terrible."

Details: Zelenskyy also suggested that Trump's representatives were trying to secure another visit to Moscow through the agreement.

Quote: "If you allow them to export diesel, and you think before that you have to go to Russia to negotiate, it looks that you are buying this meeting. Maybe I'm not right. But it looks this way. Otherwise, why do it?"

Details: Zelenskyy said he plans to obtain a full briefing from the Ukrainian negotiating team to establish whether the agreement is connected to the planned visit to Russia by Trump's envoys.

Despite his anger, Zelenskyy refrained from stating that Ukraine would reject US mediation. He stressed that "we need the Americans to try to stop this war".

Background:

• On the evening of 9 October, Trump said he had spoken by phone with Putin and agreed on supplies of millions of tonnes of Russian diesel to US and global markets.
• The US Department of the Treasury, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), issued General Licence No. 135, authorising transactions involving the sale, delivery, unloading and import of Russian-origin diesel fuel into the US until 17 April 2027.
• Zelenskyy strongly criticised Trump's actions, describing the easing of sanctions as an "absolutely terrible" move. He stressed that this "happy birthday present for Putin" will provide Russia with billions more to continue the war.
• Zelenskyy said Ukraine's negotiating team in the US was being used as "cover" while Trump and Putin reached agreements on fuel supplies.
• Following his conversation with Trump, Putin confirmed that Russia is ready to supply petroleum products to the US and global markets. He also expressed hope for continued cooperation between the two countries.

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