US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky clashed over a diesel deal, with Zelensky describing it as a "weak decision." The move allows Moscow to release large amounts of diesel onto global markets, easing sanctions imposed due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump made the announcement after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid soaring US fuel prices and dim prospects for his party in the upcoming midterm elections.
The decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel has been met with criticism from Ukraine and its European allies. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that lifting sanctions would only help fuel the Kremlin's war on Ukraine, saying "this is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won't." Zelensky expressed his dismay at the move, which he believes will only strengthen Russia's position in the conflict.
Russian strikes on Ukraine have intensified in recent months, resulting in a significant increase in civilian casualties. On Saturday, a Russian glide bomb attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed 20 people, including three children. The attack prompted Zelensky to accuse Russia of expressing its gratitude for the lifting of sanctions by targeting residential buildings.
The aftermath of the attack saw rescuers pulling people from the rubble, with one rescuer, Daniil Pishkin, describing the scene as devastating. A resident of one of the buildings that was hit, Iryna, 69, recounted her experience, saying she barely had time to seek refuge in the bathroom after receiving an air raid warning. Her two neighbors were killed in the attack.
The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing for over four and a half years, with US-led efforts to broker an end to the conflict remaining deadlocked. Trump's administration has been involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, with US envoy Steve Witkoff posting that constructive discussions had taken place in Miami, focusing on potential avenues to de-escalate and conclude the war.
The Kremlin reported that Trump had conveyed his ideas about how to de-escalate the war to Putin during a phone call on Friday. Putin received the proposals "with understanding," according to the Kremlin. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and now occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
The situation in Ukraine remains dire, with large-scale power outages reported in the capital Kyiv following Russian strikes. The city's mayor reported a strike on a restaurant, and AFP reporters heard booms over Kyiv earlier in the day. The Russian defense ministry claimed it had hit a "data center" used by Ukraine's military.
Key points
- At least 21 people, including four children, were killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine.
- Trump and Zelensky clashed over a diesel deal that eases sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
- The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing for over four and a half years, with US-led efforts to broker an end to the conflict remaining deadlocked.
