The Kremlin relishes in the US-Russia diesel deal and Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy
(AP) -- A deal between Moscow and Washington over exports of Russian diesel and fresh U.S. criticism of Ukraine's leader mark important political vict
The Kremlin appears to be pleased with the recent US-Russia diesel deal and President Donald Trump's criticism of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, seeing it as significant political gains for Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the scale of Russian diesel exports is modest and unlikely to substantially affect prices, the revenue will bolster Moscow's war funds and, more crucially, weaken the united front against President Putin by Kyiv and its European allies.
The development is bolstered by Trump's suggestion that Ukraine should replace President Zelenskyy with a new leader. This comes as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine's energy systems and other critical infrastructure, complicating efforts to put together a cohesive defense against Putin's forces.
Ahead of the upcoming midterms, Trump blamed the spike in diesel prices on Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. However, the US-led war in Iran has also contributed to global energy price hikes. Russia's diesel exports might seem inconsequential in the grand scheme of overall demand, but they serve as a "gift for Putin," according to Mark Galeotti, a Russia expert at Mayak Intelligence consultancy. This deal further divides Trump and Zelenskyy, potentially creating a wedge between them.
Despite Trump's announcement of an "energy truce" between Moscow and Kyiv, Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities continue unabated. Zelenskyy has criticized the diesel deal as a display of weakness and has called for a halt to Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that "contacts are ongoing" but dismissed Zelenskyy's comments as an attempt to promote his interest in a ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off Zelenskyy's statement, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader does not deserve a respite. The Kremlin predicts that Putin will not halt attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities, which he views as essential to his winter air war strategy. Russian officials have attempted to allay concerns about potential supply shortages, stating that there will be enough to sustain the domestic market while delivering the agreed amounts to the global market.
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