United States – Russian Diesel: Trump Backs Down, Zelensky Wins, Europe Is Furious

Over three days, Donald Trump lifted U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel, announced an “energy ceasefire” without approval from Kyiv or Moscow, and then slowed Starshield, the military satellite system used by Ukrainian drones. Volodymyr Zelensky refused to yield and told the Financial Times, “It’s over. The blockade is lifted.” Hours later, Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal. The article portrays the episode as a power struggle in which Trump ultimately backed down.