Trump's Russian diesel deal sparks clash with Zelensky as strikes kill 20 in Zaporizhzhia

President Trump's surprise move to let Russian diesel flow back onto world markets set off a sharp clash with Ukraine on Saturday. Hours after the deal was announced Russian glide bombs tore into apartment blocks in the city of Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian officials said at least 20 people died in the region, three of them children.

What the White House agreed to

Trump revealed the arrangement Friday afternoon on social media after a phone call with Vladimir Putin. He wrote that Moscow would ship more than 300,000 tons of diesel right away, another 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons after that. A further 3 million tons could follow depending on how quickly damaged Russian refineries recover. He predicted diesel prices would fall fast and later told reporters he wanted to thank Putin.

The Treasury Department quickly issued a temporary general license that exempts Russian diesel sales from U.S. sanctions until April 7, 2027. The waiver covers only diesel. Other sanctions stay in place and Russian assets held in American banks remain frozen. No American buyer or delivery schedule has been named so it is unclear how much fuel will actually reach U.S. pumps.

The Kremlin said Putin confirmed that Russia is ready to sell oil and fuel to the United States and other markets. Putin's foreign policy adviser said the Russian leader would not commit to restarting peace talks with Ukraine.

Why diesel matters at home

Diesel prices in the U.S. have hit record levels, driven by the war with Iran and by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries. Global crude is trading above $103 a barrel compared with about $73 before the Iran conflict began. With the midterm elections less than a month away the White House has made fuel costs a central issue. Earlier this week Trump also opened highways to tax-free farm diesel.

Critics pointed out that only three weeks ago the president signed a sweeping law named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham that was meant to choke off Russian energy revenue. That law lets the president impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas.

Ukraine pushes back

Zelensky wrote that Russia had shown its gratitude for the sanctions relief by dropping five glide bombs on homes in Zaporizhzhia. He called the deal weak and unfair and said it should be reversed. In a later message he argued that every extra billion dollars Moscow earns will pay for drones, missiles and soldiers. He said the signal sent to the Kremlin was that it can keep attacking cities.

In an interview Saturday Zelensky said the arrangement looked like a birthday present for Putin. He also said his negotiators felt used as cover since U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had spent eight hours in talks with Ukrainian and European officials in Miami on Friday before the call took place.

A U.S. official offered a different account. The official said Trump went ahead because Kyiv had brushed off about six requests from Washington to stop hitting Russian oil refineries, strikes that were pushing up costs for American drivers. Witkoff and Kushner are expected to visit Moscow and Kyiv next week.

What comes next

Zelensky said he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron about strengthening air defenses and warned of more missile attacks in the coming days. Ukraine is also working with partners on ways to offset the new money Russia stands to collect. Whether the extra diesel lowers prices for American truckers and farmers before Election Day remains an open question.