Trump envoys pitched Russian diesel deal as way to soften Moscow
President Trump's envoys told Ukrainian officials that a deal letting Russia export diesel is meant to coax Moscow back to peace talks, Reuters reported. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also said Vladimir Putin is not ready to end the war. Ukrainian officials at the Miami meeting were skeptical.
President Donald Trump's envoys told Ukrainian officials on Oct. 9 that a deal allowing Russian diesel exports is part of an effort to draw Russia back to peace talks, three people familiar with the meeting told Reuters.
Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, met the Ukrainians in Miami. Two of the people said the envoys told them that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not prepared to negotiate an end to his war, now 4½ years old. The third said the U.S. described the deal as a way to "soften" Moscow's position, in part because it signals that Trump is open to working with Russia.
Under the deal, Russia will supply more than 2.25 million barrels of diesel to U.S. and global markets, Reuters reported. Trump says it will lower U.S. energy prices, a political headache for Republicans before the midterm elections. Some lawmakers say it gives Moscow cash for its war without forcing Putin to make concessions. Some experts say the extra fuel is less than a day's supply for the U.S. transport sector alone.
Kushner also repeated Trump's request that Ukraine stop striking Russian oil refineries, two of the people said. They said the Americans did not threaten to cut off U.S. military or intelligence support if Kyiv refused.
Ukrainian officials at the meeting saw the approach as using business deals to appease Russia, the people said. A person close to the Kremlin said Putin will return to talks only when "he gets the remaining 11% of Donbas, which he can present domestically as victory." Ukraine has said it will not hand over more land.
The deal has deepened a rift between Washington and Kyiv. Zelensky called it a "gift to Putin," and Trump said Ukrainians needed to "get a new president," Reuters reported. On Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the deal works against efforts by Ukraine and its allies to bring peace to Europe, The Guardian reported. Trump defended it Monday, calling it the right choice for Americans.
What we know: U.S. envoys told Kyiv the diesel deal is meant to lure Russia back to talks, and Ukraine's officials doubt it will work.
What we don't: Whether Moscow will make any move toward negotiations in return.
Where outlets agree Reuters and the Kyiv Post both report that Trump defended the Russian diesel deal as the right choice for the American people.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.