Czech President: Trump's Diesel Sanctions Decision Pushed a Ukraine Ceasefire Further Away

Czech President Petr Pavel says a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was "very close" until US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel fuel. According to the report's headline, the deal gave Russia a respite and moved a truce further out of reach.

Pavel made the remarks in an interview with the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, a collaboration network of journalists and newsrooms. The online outlet Politico is among its members.

Why it matters

Sanctions are one of the main forms of external pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine. In Pavel's assessment, lifting them for diesel affected the prospects of reaching a ceasefire.

The source text gives no further details on when Trump lifted the sanctions, under what conditions, or how other parties have responded to these claims.