Zelensky's post came as a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Congress members was visiting Kyiv. He told them directly what Ukraine needs to end the war: sanctions under the Lindsey Graham bill, protection for lives, and real pressure on Russia — not relief.
"Gift to Putin will not bring peace or any benefits to civilized world," Zelensky wrote. "Russia will 'Repay' the diesel with further terror and perfidy."
The timing could not be worse for Kyiv. The Trump-Putin call happened while a Ukrainian delegation was in Miami for peace talks with U.S. and European officials.
"I believe our team is simply being used as a front," Zelensky said on WhatsApp. "That is certainly not how partners should treat one another."
In an interview with Axios, he went further: "It looks like a happy birthday present for Putin. It looks absolutely terrible." The comment referenced Putin's birthday earlier that week.
Why Zelensky calls it an investment to a war
Trump's deal allows 4.8 million metric tons of Russian diesel — about 36 million barrels — to enter global markets after Treasury issued a license through April 2027. It reverses sanctions imposed in October 2025.
Zelensky argues the revenue will directly fund Russia's war machine at its weakest moment.
"This year, Russia is weaker on the battlefield than at any other point in the war. That is why Putin is relying on terror," he wrote.
He listed what happened in the past week alone: a missile strike on a residential building in Pryluky, aerial bombs on ordinary city buses in Kramatorsk, and constant attacks on energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Odesa. Dozens killed, hundreds wounded.
He also pointed to a recent European decision to lift sanctions on some Russian oligarchs, saying since then, "Russian strikes and the torment of people have only increased."
*Ukraine's Counter-Proposal: Symmetrical De-Escalation*
Zelensky revealed Ukraine's actual offer to Washington — one the American team knows:
Ukraine will stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
"Our strikes on Russian oil refineries and other oil facilities are a response to Russia's years-long campaign of terror against Ukraine's energy sector," he said.
He called for "real de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis" — not unilateral easing.
"Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement is an obvious weakness. It plays into Russia's hands — allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America."
What happens next?
Trump dismissed the criticism. Asked about Zelensky calling it "weak," he responded: "We are a strong partner. We need oil for the world."
But the rift is growing. Trump signed the Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on September 18, which imposes 500% tariffs on Russian goods starting October 19. Yet he can waive it — and just did for diesel.
Democrats called the move "infuriating," saying it undermines efforts to choke Russia's war economy.
https://afterpostint.com/post/p-strong-trump-s-russia-diesel-deal-36m-barrels-reality-check-strong-p
Zelensky ended his statement with a direct plea: "We count on America's fair support for our defense of life... and on the United States having a correspondingly strong conversation with Russia. A strong one, not a weak one."