US envoys say 'diesel deal' with Russia is meant to bring Moscow back to talks

US special envoys Witkoff and Kushner have explained to the Ukrainian side what the so-called diesel deal is meant to achieve. According to Reuters, as cited by the Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda, the agreement with Russia on diesel fuel exports is intended as a way to encourage Moscow to return to talks with Kyiv.

The source says the American representatives told Ukraine that the arrangement should help revive negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. In this framing, Washington presents the deal not as a standalone trade matter but as part of efforts to get the two warring countries back to the negotiating table.

The source gives no further details of the arrangement, including volumes, timelines or how fuel exports would affect the course of any talks. It also does not say how Ukraine's leadership assesses these explanations.