Putin would like to reach a deal in Ukraine war - Trump
President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Russia ceases attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, following criticism from Donald Trump. Tensions have risen after Trump announced a deal involving Russian diesel exports in exchange for sanctions relief, a move Zelensky labeled as weak.
Why it matters
The intersection of global energy prices, US sanctions policy, and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war highlights the complex diplomatic and economic pressures influencing the conflict.
Ukraine would be ready to stop hitting Russian oil refineries if Russia curbed its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, after criticism from US counterpart Donald Trump.
Tensions between the two leaders have flared since Friday, when Mr Trump announced a deal that would see Russia release large amounts of diesel onto global energy markets in exchange for sanctions relief.
Mr Zelensky described the deal as a "weak decision", saying it would encourage Russia to keep attacking Ukraine, but Mr Trump said yesterday that Ukraine's strikes were to blame for rising fuel prices.
Prices at US gasoline and diesel pumps have surged since late February, when joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway used for oil exports from the Gulf.
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