Putin and Trump hold phone call; US Treasury licenses Russian diesel supplies
In short
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump held a phone call on 9 October in which they discussed a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and economic cooperation, the Kremlin said, and the Kremlin later published a statement by Putin on its results. The same day the US Treasury issued a licence for supplies of diesel fuel from Russia, valid until 7 April 2027, RIA Novosti reported. Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the easing of sanctions.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on Friday, 9 October, discussing a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and economic cooperation, the Kremlin said, according to RIA Novosti. Later that evening the Kremlin published a statement by Putin on the results of the conversation on its website, TASS and RBC reported. Neither outlet's report available here gives the text of the statement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to RIA Novosti, the Russian side confirmed its readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to the American and world markets. The two presidents also confirmed an agreement to continue personal contacts and cooperation through their presidential administrations, special services and other agencies. [ 3 ]
On the same day the US Treasury issued a licence for supplies of diesel fuel from Russia, RIA Novosti reported. Under the licence, operations to sell, deliver, unload and import the fuel are permitted until 7 April 2027. [ 3 ]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained about the lifting of US sanctions on Russian diesel fuel after the call, RIA Novosti reported. Writing on social media, he said that any easing of sanctions without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement was "obvious weakness", and added that he was counting on "fair support". RIA Novosti headlined its report by saying Zelensky had thrown a tantrum. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
According to RIA Novosti, the call was accompanied by a US licence allowing the sale, delivery, unloading and import of Russian diesel fuel, a step Zelensky described as an easing of sanctions. The Russian side also confirmed readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to US and world markets, and both presidents agreed to keep up personal contacts.
Key facts
- The Kremlin published a statement by President Vladimir Putin on the results of his conversation with US President Donald Trump. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Putin and Trump held a phone call on Friday, discussing a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and economic cooperation, the Kremlin said. [ 3 ]
- The Russian side confirmed its readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to the US and world markets. [ 3 ]
- The presidents confirmed an agreement to continue personal contacts and cooperation between presidential administrations, special services and other agencies. [ 3 ]
- The US Treasury issued a licence for supplies of diesel fuel from Russia the same day; its sale, delivery, unloading and import are permitted until 7 April 2027. [ 3 ]
- Volodymyr Zelensky complained on social media about the lifting of US sanctions on Russian diesel fuel. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Kremlin published a statement by Putin on the results of his conversation with Trump. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Putin and Trump held a phone call in which they discussed a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and economic cooperation. [ 3 ]
- The US Treasury issued a licence for supplies of Russian diesel fuel, permitting operations until 7 April 2027. [ 3 ]
Still unclear
- What Putin's published statement says. The reports available here only state that the statement was published, without giving its content.
- Whether the US diesel licence was agreed during the call. RIA Novosti reports only that the licence was issued on the same day as the call.
- The full wording of Zelensky's post. The quote in the RIA Novosti text is incomplete and no other outlet reports it.