Trump cuts diesel deal with Putin

Donald Trump announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin on Friday to buy large quantities of Russian diesel, saying it was needed to reduce diesel prices ahead of November's midterm elections.

Zelenskyy calls it a gift to Russia

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed outrage at the deal, announced while Ukrainian negotiators were in Miami for peace talks.He called it a gift to Putin and said Russia would use the money to invest in its war.

Zelenskyy warns of more violence

Zelenskyy said any easing of sanctions would allow Russia to kill more and wage war longer. He predicted Russia would use the revenues to intensify its attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

“allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer”

Russian strikes kill 20 in Zaporizhzhia

Hours after Zelenskyy's warning, Russian strikes on Ukraine's south-east killed 20 people, including three children, on Saturday. Large-scale power outages also hit Kyiv, the country's largest private energy provider said.

Zelenskyy links strikes to diesel deal

Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russia expressed its thanks for the diesel deal by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia.He said Russia takes any easing of pressure as permission to keep fighting.

“Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia”

Trump attacks Zelenskyy on Saturday

Trump said on Saturday it was time for Ukraine to get a new president, suggesting Zelenskyy has not done enough to end the war and blaming him for high diesel prices in the US.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does”

European leaders vow stronger sanctions

The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the diesel deal provides Moscow with revenues to wage war.

“This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won't”

Germany and Sweden reject the deal

German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Berlin remains committed to sanctions and support for Ukraine is unwavering.Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson expressed regret at the US agreement, calling energy revenues vital to funding Russia's war.

UK prime minister backs Ukraine

Andy Burnham reiterated his complete solidarity with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a call on Saturday. The two leaders agreed to meet in person in the coming days to continue talks about keeping up pressure on Russia.