Revealed: How Trump–Putin diesel deal blindsided Kyiv, leaving envoys ‘sitting there like fools’

Ukraine was reportedly blindsided by President Donald Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel, with Kyiv’s officials describing the announcement as a “trap” and saying they were left “sitting there like fools.” According to The Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian negotiators travelled to the United States on October 9 to discuss an energy truce and other issues, not sanctions relief for Moscow. The deal, announced after a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly caught Kyiv off guard and triggered concerns that Russia could gain additional revenue to support its war against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials also questioned why Kyiv should limit strikes on Russian energy facilities while Washington eased pressure on Moscow. The episode raised fresh questions about U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine’s leverage in negotiations.