Kristina Kazakova23:10, 09.10.26

Zelensky emphasized that allowing Russia to sell oil products is an investment in a war that needs to be ended, not continued.

Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and long-term de-escalation agreement with it is a clear sign of weakness, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram .

This is how he commented on US President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily suspend sanctions and allow the supply of Russian diesel fuel to global markets.

“Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and long-term de-escalation agreement with Russia is a clear sign of weakness. It plays into Russia’s hands, ensuring that it will kill more, fight longer, respect America even less, and cause even more losses and damage to the world,” Zelenskyy said.

He noted that Ukraine is ready for reciprocal steps towards de-escalation, and the American team is aware of this position.

“Our strikes on Russian oil refineries and other oil facilities are Russia’s response to its long-running campaign of terror against the Ukrainian energy sector,” the Ukrainian president emphasized.

Zelensky explained that Ukraine will not destroy Russian oil refineries if Russia does not destroy the country’s energy sector.

“We are proposing precisely this kind of agreement to America and believe that the United States has sufficient strength to reach such a compromise,” the Ukrainian president said in a statement.

Zelensky predicts that easing sanctions will not help achieve peace in Ukraine.

“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or benefit the civilized world. Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel fuel with further terror and vile acts,” he emphasized.

Zelensky emphasized that allowing Russia to sell oil products is an investment in a war that needs to be ended, not continued.

“We need a real de-escalation with Russia and in a mirror format,” he said.

Therefore, the president expressed hope that the United States will also take care to protect the lives of Ukrainians:

“We count on America’s just support in protecting lives and people in Ukraine, and on a corresponding, decisive conversation between the United States and Russia. Resolute, not weak.”

(c)UNIAN 2026