Trump Thanks Putin for Diesel, and Zelensky Says Kyiv’s Negotiators Are a “Smokescreen”

On Friday 9 October, Donald Trump announced that Russia would put diesel on the American and world markets after he spoke to Vladimir Putin. Within hours the US Treasury said it was issuing a license to allow it. Volodymyr Zelensky answered the same evening that “this only fuels Putin and enables him to wage more war.”

Anadolu reported that American, European and Ukrainian officials were meeting in Florida that day to discuss ending the war. This piece follows our reading of Rubio’s stalemate remarks and the Kremlin’s reply and covers only what was said since.

Trump put tonnage on the Russian supply in a Truth Social post, and the Treasury issued a license the same day. Zelensky called the decision weak and said his negotiating team was being used as cover. Democratic senators called it a betrayal, and a European diplomat doubted it would change prices.

Trump’s post on Truth Social on 9 October said that “Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace,” according to the Kyiv Independent. The same report gives two further tranches from the post: 500,000 tons during November and 1,000,000 tons immediately after that. Trump wrote that diesel prices “will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!”

The Treasury said on X that it “is immediately issuing a temporary general license to allow the supply of Russian diesel to the global market,” in the Kyiv Independent’s account. It describes the Kremlin’s readout of the call as saying Russia confirmed it was willing to supply oil and petroleum products. Trump also thanked Putin in public remarks, according to several outlets that carried them.

Zelensky replied on Telegram and to reporters. He said, in Ukrinform’s English translation, that “it is a weak decision by strong partners,” and that “I believe that our team is simply being used as a smokescreen, and that is definitely not fair.” Ukrinform also records what he wants from the Florida talks: “At the very least, on a ceasefire. An energy ceasefire could be the beginning.”

Earlier that day Zelensky met four members of a US congressional delegation in Kyiv: Senators Roger Wicker and Kevin Cramer and Representatives Marc Veasey and Dan Crenshaw. In his Facebook post, reported by Ukrinform, he said: “Of course, we expect the Lindsey Graham Act to be implemented.” He called that “a matter of political will.”

In Washington, Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren issued a joint statement on X calling the decision “a total betrayal of Ukraine, our European allies and American national security.” They added that “Putin only responds to strength.” London Evening Standard reported that Britain pledged to “maintain pressure on Russia” after the announcement. A European diplomat told the Kyiv Independent: “This is very unlikely to have a real impact on prices but the symbolism will have a real impact.”

On 13 September Trump asked Zelensky to stop strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure and blamed them for a global shortage, Ukrainska Pravda reported. On 9 October the same fuel came back as a Russian offer, announced after a call with Putin. The 3 November midterms are weeks away.

Zelensky made two complaints. One was about the decision itself: “a weak decision by strong partners.” The other was about his own delegation: “simply being used as a smokescreen.” His stated aim for the Florida talks was a ceasefire, and he said “an energy ceasefire could be the beginning.”

The senators and Zelensky both called for pressure on Moscow. Shaheen, Schumer and Warren said Putin “only responds to strength.” Zelensky told the US delegation in Kyiv that he expected the Lindsey Graham Act to be implemented. CNBC reported that the agreement was accused of contradicting Russia sanctions law.

Trump’s claim and the diplomat’s forecast sit side by side. Trump wrote of prices “COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!” The European diplomat told the Kyiv Independent that a real impact on prices was “very unlikely.” The tonnage is Trump’s own figure. The Kremlin readout, as the Kyiv Independent describes it, speaks only of willingness to supply.

The Treasury license text is the first marker, with its duration, volumes and permitted buyers. Next is whether Kyiv’s negotiators stay in the Florida format after Zelensky’s remark. Congress and the Graham Act come third. The fourth is the next Russian strike on Ukrainian energy sites, which would test the energy ceasefire Zelensky described as a possible beginning.

The record so far shows a sanctions license for Moscow and no announced Russian commitment on energy strikes.