Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised a proposed US-Russia diesel agreement after Russian strikes killed at least 15 people, including three children, in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The deal, announced by US President Donald Trump following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, would allow Russia to release large quantities of diesel onto global markets in exchange for sanctions relief.
Zelensky described the agreement as a “weak decision”, arguing that easing restrictions on Moscow was inappropriate amid continued attacks on Ukraine. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also warned that lifting sanctions would help fund Russia’s war, while Germany said it would continue pushing for additional EU sanctions.
On Saturday, Russian forces struck residential areas in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia with five guided aerial bombs, Ukraine’s police and rescue services said. Emergency workers searched damaged buildings for survivors as residents were pulled from the rubble.
Kyiv also experienced widespread power outages following Russian strikes, according to private energy provider DTEK. Local authorities additionally reported damage to a restaurant in the capital.
The attacks come as US-led efforts to negotiate an end to the war remain stalled, with Russia continuing its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.