Ukraine will keep targeting Russian oil refineries despite Trump's diesel deal with Putin – FT

Ukraine will continue to strike Russian oil refineries despite US President Donald Trump's agreement with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to ease sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.

Source: Financial Times, citing a senior Ukrainian official

Details: Ukraine does not plan to stop long-range drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in response to Washington's lifting of sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.

"We will burn [Russian] refineries," the Ukrainian official said.

After meeting a US congressional delegation in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly criticised the US administration's decision. He called it a "weak decision" that will only help finance the Kremlin's war and make Putin bolder.

"Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world," Zelenskyy said.

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.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr 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.
• Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Vladimir Putin, said that the Russian leader had rejected the prospect of peace talks and stressed that Russia will continue fighting until it has achieved "all its objectives" during a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

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