‘This Is Russia’s Thank You’: Zelenskyy Connects US Diesel Deal to Fresh Kyiv Attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked Russian attacks on Ukraine to Washington’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, saying Moscow had responded to the agreement with fresh strikes on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia. The attacks killed at least 15 people, including three children, on Saturday, Oct. 10, according to Ukrainian emergency services.
“Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Zelenskyy wrote Saturday on X. He also said 13 other Ukrainian regions had faced overnight attacks. The strikes came a day after President Donald Trump announced an agreement to ease U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
U.S. Eases Sanctions on Russian Diesel Exports
The agreement between Washington and Moscow would suspend U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 2027, allowing the staggered release of nearly 2 million tons of Russian diesel. Trump announced the agreement Friday, Oct. 9, presenting it as a measure to reduce fuel costs for American farmers, ranchers and truck drivers ahead of next month’s midterm elections.
The announcement came as U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, met with Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, in Miami to discuss a proposed settlement to the war.
The agreement comes against the backdrop of restrictions on Russian fuel exports and Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s refining infrastructure. Russia imposed a ban on diesel exports in July after Ukrainian drone strikes on its refining sector contributed to domestic fuel shortages.
Restrictions on exports by non-producers were scheduled to remain in place until the end of January 2027. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia could consider partially reopening exports once domestic production returned to a surplus.
Russia’s seaborne exports of refined petroleum products fell 11% month over month and 42% year over year in September to 1.075 million barrels per day, according to ship-tracking data cited by S&P Global Energy. The decline came amid continued attacks on Russian refining infrastructure.
Zelenskyy Criticizes Washington’s Decision
Zelenskyy had opposed the agreement before the Zaporizhzhia strikes. In a post Friday, he said Russia would repay the agreement “with further terror and perfidy,” arguing that the decision could prolong the war.
“It plays into Russia’s hands – allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world,” he said, according to CBS News.
Zelenskyy also warned that revenue from Russian diesel sales “means more money for this war, more money to inflict suffering on us, without a doubt,” describing the agreement as “a weak decision by strong partners.”
Ukraine’s Refinery Campaign Adds Pressure
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in 2026, targeting refineries in an effort to disrupt Moscow’s fuel supplies and reduce its energy revenue. Kyiv claimed strikes on four Russian refineries in the days before the diesel agreement was announced. Zelensky has offered to suspend attacks on Russian refineries if Moscow stops striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The proposal could complicate negotiations because Kyiv has made a halt to its refinery campaign conditional on reciprocal Russian action. Analysts cited by CNN questioned whether Zelenskyy would suspend the attacks without a corresponding commitment from Moscow. The agreement’s effect on negotiations will depend on its implementation and progress toward a settlement.
A Shift in U.S. Policy Toward Russian Energy
The reported diesel agreement also raises questions about the consistency of Washington’s approach to Russian energy exports. The original draft states that Trump signed legislation on Sept. 18 imposing broad sanctions on Russia’s energy, defense and maritime sectors. It identifies the legislation as the “Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” named after the late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The law’s official name, signing date and provisions should be verified against primary legislative records before publication. If confirmed, the legislation could provide additional context for assessing how the reported diesel arrangement fits within the administration’s wider sanctions policy. The implications of the agreement will depend on its precise terms, the volume of diesel released and its effect on ongoing diplomatic efforts.
