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Exclusive: Zelensky tells Axios Trump's diesel deal with Putin "not fair and not honest"

Barak Ravid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi attends a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on Oct. 4 2026. Photo: Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu via Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios in a phone interview on Friday that President Trump's decision to unilaterally lift sanctions on Russia and allow it to export diesel was "not fair and not honest."

"You know, it looks like a happy birthday present for Putin. It looks absolutely terrible," Zelensky said in frustration, referring to the Russian president's birthday earlier this week.

Why it matters: Trump's announcement after a call with Putin shocked the Ukrainian government and many European governments and created a new crisis between the U.S. and its Western allies.

Driving the news: Trump announced the deal with Putin as his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were meeting in Miami with the Ukrainian negotiating team along with senior diplomats from Germany, France, the UK, the EU and NATO to discuss new U.S. ideas for ending the war.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

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Exclusive: Zelensky tells Axios Trump's diesel deal with Putin "not fair and not honest"

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