EU slams Trump-Putin diesel deal, warns of boost to Russia's war funds

The European Union sharply criticized a diesel supply agreement between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, warning that easing sanctions would provide Moscow with additional revenue to finance its war on Ukraine.

"Russian strikes killed over 80 Ukrainian civilians in two days. Moreover, it has stepped up its hybrid attacks against Europe, both EU member states and NATO Allies," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement.

Suspending sanctions on Russian diesel deliveries would give Moscow "more revenues to wage war," she warned.

"This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won't."

Moscow responded with a scathing personal attack on Kallas.

"Plutarch said: 'piscis primum a capite foetat' - the fish rots from the head down," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the state news agency TASS.

"Nowadays, there is a continuation of this wisdom: And the EU - from Kallas."

Kallas said EU foreign ministers planned on Monday to impose sanctions on more individuals and organizations supporting Russia's war effort than in any previous round since the start of the war.

Germany will stick to Russia sanctions 

Even following the diesel agreement between Trump and Putin, Germany does not want any oil or petrol from Russia, a spokesman stressed on Saturday. 

“The Government is standing by the sanctions decisions against Russia and is working together with its European partners on further sanctions,” the spokesman for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in response to the agreement. The Fuels and Energy Trade Association does not expect the US-Russia deal to have any major impact on prices at German petrol stations.

Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius added: “Our support for Ukraine in its defensive struggle remains unwavering.” 

A spokeswoman for Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche  emphasized: “Germany stands fully behind the sanctions packages.” 

Russian oil and crude oil products have been subject to EU sanctions since 2023. Germany has not imported any oil or oil products from Russia since then. 

Announcement after Russia phone call 

Trump announced the agreement for Russia to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel following a phone call with Putin on Friday.

Washington plans to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel to allow the deliveries to proceed. The Kremlin confirmed the deal.

Trump is facing mounting domestic pressure over rising fuel prices ahead of next month's US midterm elections, now less than a month away.