US links Russian diesel deal to effort to revive peace talks

what happened

Newsmetry API, citing Reuters, reports that Donald Trump’s representatives told Ukrainian officials in Miami that an agreement involving Russian diesel exports was intended to help bring Moscow back to negotiations. Three people familiar with the meeting said US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner told the Ukrainians that Vladimir Putin was not ready to discuss ending the 4 1/2-year war in Ukraine. They presented last week’s deal as a possible route toward restarting trilateral talks.

One source said the arrangement could make Moscow more receptive because it demonstrates Trump’s willingness to work with Russia. Under the agreement, Russia would send over 2.25 million barrels of diesel to buyers in the US and elsewhere. Several US lawmakers have criticized the plan, arguing that it would provide Moscow with revenue for its war without requiring concessions from Putin. Trump called the agreement “the right choice for the American people” and said it would reduce US energy costs, a political concern for Republicans ahead of midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.

Kushner also urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian refineries, according to people briefed on the meeting. Trump has blamed those strikes for higher global fuel costs, while most experts say the war in Iran is the main reason prices are elevated. On Sunday, Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but neither side confirmed it, and Russia hit energy facilities inside Ukraine on Monday. The Russian embassy in Washington and the Ukrainian presidential office did not immediately comment.

The Ukrainian officials were skeptical of using commercial agreements to accommodate Russia. A person close to the Kremlin said Putin would return only after securing the remaining 11% of Donbas, which he could portray domestically as a victory. Ukraine rejects further territorial concessions but says a freeze along current front lines could underpin a peace agreement. The Miami meeting also covered security guarantees, reconstruction funding and investment plans. No formal agreement was reached, and the US did not threaten to withdraw military or intelligence support for Kyiv.

why it matters

For markets, the report links an energy-trade arrangement with diplomatic efforts while highlighting unresolved divisions between Washington and Kyiv. Any effect on fuel-supply expectations depends on whether the proposed ceasefire gains Russian and Ukrainian acceptance and is observed.

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