Live updates: Zelensky set for Sunday interview amid backlash to Trump's Russia diesel deal

Kyiv, October 11 - Ukraine is prepared to cease its strikes on Russian oil refineries if Russia reduces its assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday. This position came after criticism from US counterpart Donald Trump, who recently announced a deal involving Russia releasing vast quantities of diesel into global energy markets in exchange for sanctions relief.

Tensions between the two leaders have escalated since Friday, when Trump unveiled the deal. Zelensky labeled the deal as a "weak decision," asserting it would motivate Russia to maintain its attacks on Ukraine. Trump, however, attributed the surge in fuel prices to Ukraine's strikes, stating this on Saturday. The situation parallels the impact on US gasoline and diesel prices since late February, when joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for oil exports from the Gulf.

Zelensky emphasized during a statement on X that "Ukraine will be ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops striking our energy infrastructure. Any de-escalation measures must be mutual and supported by genuine guarantees." Russia has conducted numerous strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since its invasion in February 2022, disrupting power and heating to millions during the harsh winter months.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy provider, reported additional power outages in the capital, Kyiv, on Sunday. This dispute between Zelensky and Trump unfolds weeks before the US elections, where voter concerns over rising living costs are prominent.