Russian Strikes Kill 7 in Ukraine; Trump Claims Diesel Deal With Moscow
Kyiv warns that a reported agreement by former President Trump to purchase Russian diesel could help fund the Kremlin's war efforts.
Russian aerial bombs struck residential buildings in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday, killing at least seven people, including three children, and wounding at least 10, according to officials. The attacks occurred a day after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to acquire Russian diesel, a move that Ukrainian officials warned could provide financial support for Moscow's ongoing war.
Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a prolonged aerial conflict, with ground forces largely in a stalemate over four and a half years after Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukraine has been contending with escalating Russian bombardments, which have resulted in over 55 fatalities in the past four days.
The recent strikes followed Trump's announcement on social media that he had reached an agreement to procure diesel from Russia. Trump stated he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone and that Russia would immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel, with additional large quantities to follow in the coming months.
This development contrasts sharply with a sanctions law Trump signed the previous month, which aimed to curtail oil and gas revenues funding Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the reported deal, stating on social media that Russia would repay such actions with "further terror and perfidy." He characterized the agreement as an investment in the war, enabling its continuation and a lesser regard for the United States.
In a statement from the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, Zelenskyy referred to the decision as "a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners." He suggested that his team, while meeting with Ukrainian officials in Miami to discuss peace proposals, might have been used as a "smokescreen."