Trump: Diesel deal keeps Putin at peace table; Zelenskyy prolongs war

President Donald Trump said he cut a diesel export deal with Russia and delayed further sanctions to keep Vladimir Putin engaged in peace talks with Ukraine, while accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of prolonging the five-year war due to European military aid. Trump stated in a social-media post that he is negotiating peace and does not want to drive Russia away from the bargaining table, adding that "great progress is being made." He also blamed Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure for high fuel prices, rather than US actions on Iran, and claimed Zelenskyy could have made a better deal two years ago. Zelenskyy accused Trump of pressuring Kyiv to surrender, escalating a week-long argument, and claimed the US limited Starlink systems, which the White House denied. Trump waived new tariffs and sanctions on Russia on Friday, drawing rare pushback from at least 10 Republican senators and House members concerned about losing congressional majorities in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.