Gifts to Putin: Zelenskyy reacts to lifting sanctions on Russian diesel

President of the United States Donald Trump has decided to temporarily suspend sanctions and allow Russian diesel fuel to be supplied to global markets. On October 9, 2026, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move in a Telegram post and warned of its consequences.

“Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear, long-term de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious sign of weakness. It plays into Russia’s hands, enabling it to kill more people, wage war for longer, show even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

At the same time, Ukraine is ready to take reciprocal steps toward de-escalation. The president noted that the American team knows this is Ukraine’s position.

“We are proposing exactly this kind of arrangement to America and believe that the United States has enough leverage to reach such a compromise,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The condition outlined by the head of state is a mutual commitment to refrain from destroying energy facilities: Ukraine will not destroy Russian oil refineries if Russia does not attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“Our strikes on Russian oil refineries and other oil facilities are Russia’s response to its years-long campaign of terror against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure,” explained President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the president’s view, easing sanctions will not help achieve peace in Ukraine. He also predicted what Russia would do next:

“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or do any good for the civilized world. Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel fuel with more terror and treachery,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned.

We previously reported:

• Russia strikes energy infrastructure: scheduled power outages introduced in several regions
• Ukraine is ready for an energy ceasefire but is waiting for Russia to provide lists of facilities
• No strikes on energy infrastructure: Trump announces an agreement, Zelenskyy awaits guarantees
• From Ryazan to Crimea: Zelenskyy confirms new strikes on refineries, logistics, and a Russian boat base
• Siberia is no longer a safe rear: strike on Russia’s largest refinery could be “the last straw”