Zelenskyy says Miami peace talks used as 'smokescreen' for Trump's Russian diesel sanctions deal

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to lift sanctions on Russian diesel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticised the move, which came while US, Ukrainian and European negotiators were meeting in Miami, Florida, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The decision may create fresh friction between Washington and its Nato allies.

Zelenskyy's response

Trump unveiled the arrangement on his Truth Social network, saying it was needed to bring down fuel prices in the US, which have risen since his decision to go to war with Iran. In a statement, Zelenskyy called it "unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners" and added: "I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen." He said this was not fair and not how partners should treat one another. Last month he travelled to Washington to urge US lawmakers to adopt tougher sanctions on Russia.

The Miami talks lasted six hours, according to a source briefed on them. Participants discussed a postwar economic package for Ukraine and a possible new security architecture between Europe and Russia. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner took part in the meetings.

Criticism in the US

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren described the decision as a betrayal of Ukraine, European allies and US national security. Trump also drew criticism from several Republicans, including congressman Don Bacon.

Other developments

On Friday Ukraine struck a data centre run by Russian technology company Yandex in the Kaluga region and partly disabled it, the second such attack in as many days. Russian strikes killed three people across Ukraine on Friday, and escalating bombardments have killed more than 50 people over the past three days.