Diesel deal puts US–Ukraine relationship under further strain
As Russian diesel exports resume, Ukraine renews attacks on Russian refineries.
Follow-up to: Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine falters Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 18:58
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Relations between the United States and Ukraine have deteriorated further following the US agreement on Russian diesel. Ukraine says it no longer intends to hold back from attacking Russian oil facilities, while Washington stresses that contact with Kyiv continues.
Russia has resumed exporting diesel to the world market following an agreement announced by President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin last week. According to Russian data, a shipment of around 40,000 tonnes has already left the Baltic port of Primorsk bound for Morocco. The Kremlin says the exports could help stabilise oil markets, but acknowledges that the effect will be limited.
The deal is politically more sensitive than the size of the first shipment might suggest. Trump presents the exports as a way to lower fuel prices, but Ukraine and several US politicians say the revenues could support Russia’s war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky therefore calls the agreement an investment in the war and a sign that Washington is putting Kyiv under pressure.
Tensions are rising as Ukraine carries out new attacks on Russian refineries. According to AP, Zelensky said Ukraine would no longer refrain from such attacks. Russia, meanwhile, denies that it has halted its own attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. The two countries are thus offering different interpretations of the agreements on energy infrastructure.
Trump previously said that the United States would continue sharing intelligence with Ukraine and working with both Kyiv and Moscow to end the war. At the same time, US officials have warned Ukraine that support could be limited if attacks on Russian refineries continue. This makes the US role less predictable for Kyiv, just as Russia is increasing the pressure on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
It remains unclear how much diesel will actually go to the United States and what effect the exports will have on global prices. The first shipment is small compared with daily US consumption. Its political significance is greater, however: an economic agreement between Washington and Moscow is now coinciding with open disagreement over Ukraine’s military strategy.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Russia is resuming diesel exports following an agreement with the United States.
- Ukraine is carrying out attacks on Russian refineries again.
- The United States says it will continue sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
- The effect on global fuel prices has not yet been established.
Left
Arguments The United States should not pressure Ukraine to halt attacks as long as Russia continues attacking Ukrainian energy facilities. A deal that generates Russian revenue without delivering clear security benefits rewards aggression.
Values International law, the protection of civilians and solidarity among allies.
Consequences Looser US support could weaken Ukraine and encourage Russia to continue fighting for longer.
Centre
Arguments A limited energy agreement may be defensible if it demonstrably contributes to talks and lower prices, but only with verifiable conditions for both sides.
Values Diplomacy, proportionality and institutional oversight.
Consequences The deal could create room for negotiations, but further damage trust between the allies if the commitments are not honoured mutually.
Right
Arguments The US government must primarily serve the interests of American consumers and national security. Ukraine cannot carry out unlimited actions that affect the fuel market and diplomatic room for manoeuvre.
Values National sovereignty, energy security and cost control.
Consequences A tougher line towards Kyiv could force negotiations more quickly, but also increases the risk of a Russian victory.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts have been confirmed by AP and Reuters. The consequences for prices and peace negotiations remain uncertain.
- confirmed Russia is resuming diesel exports following an agreement with the United States. — Reuters reports that exports have resumed and refers to the agreement between Trump and Putin. source
- confirmed Ukraine is resuming attacks on Russian refineries. — AP describes the new attacks and Zelensky’s statement. source
- confirmed The United States is still sharing intelligence with Ukraine. — Trump said this, according to Reuters, on 13 October. source
- uncertain The diesel deal is lowering global fuel prices. — The sources describe this as an aim or expectation, not an established effect. source
Editor's note
The resumption of Russian diesel exports and the new Ukrainian attacks have been confirmed. The precise terms of the deal and its effect on fuel prices have not been made public.Sources
- Ukraine abandons truce and attacks Russian oil refinery — AP
- Trump says US still sharing intel with Ukraine — Reuters via Investing.com
- Kremlin says Russian diesel exports restart — Reuters via Marketscreener
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 21:44 Trump announces 300,000-tonne Russian diesel deal
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 06:48 US temporarily make Russian diesel tradable again
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 10:45 Deadly attack puts Trump's diesel deal under pressure
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 20:45 Trump calls for new president of Ukraine
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 22:48 British prime minister promises Zelensky support after Trump criticism
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 14:57 Zelensky offers to halt refinery attacks in return for Russian move
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 19:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, Kyiv does not confirm agreement
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 20:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, attacks continue
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:02 Attack on power station immediately puts Trump’s energy truce under pressure
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 22:27 Russian attacks put energy truce under immediate pressure
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 12:59 Kremlin does not confirm Trump's energy ceasefire
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 14:59 Zelensky had no warning of Russian missile attack on Kyiv
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 23:28 Zelensky says allies again failed to warn him
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 01:56 Russian missiles hit power plant in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 06:59 Russian missile hits power station in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 08:00 Zelensky seeks swift new talks with US envoys
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 09:29 New Russian attacks increase pressure on Ukraine’s power grid
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 17:33 New Russian attack leaves Kyiv without power
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 18:58 Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine falters
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 07:59 Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 18:14 Ukraine reports damage to six Russian fighter aircraft
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 20:45 Diesel deal puts US–Ukraine relationship under further strain (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „oekraïne verenigde staten”
- RTL Nieuws — „oekraïne verenigde staten”
- NOS — „oekraïne verenigde staten”