US President Donald Trump has eased restrictions on Russian diesel and suspended planned sanctions against Moscow in recent weeks. German news agency dpa reported the moves on October 18, as Ukraine faces uncertainty over American military support before winter.

Diesel deal brings sanctions relief

Trump announced the diesel agreement after a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Russia would supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of diesel to the United States and world markets. Washington temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel as part of the arrangement.

A week later, Trump suspended new sanctions shortly before they were due to take effect. Those measures were intended to further restrict Russian oil and gas exports. The US Treasury’s authorization for Russian diesel sales, deliveries, unloading and imports runs through April 7, 2027.

Trump cited an unspecified US national interest when explaining the sanctions pause. He presented the diesel agreement as a way to bring fuel prices down quickly. He has also blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a global diesel shortage and urged him to stop attacks on Russian refineries.

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Starlink slowdown raises questions over support

The Ukrainian military says its Starlink satellite internet service has been slowed for several days. Trump denies responsibility, and the cause and extent of the disruption remain unclear.

Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, carries much of the Ukrainian military’s communications. Ukrainian forces also use satellite connections to control drones that intercept Russian drones or attack military targets in occupied territory. Musk says the Pentagon controls Starshield, a military-use function.

Accounts of US intelligence support differ: dpa cites Ukrainian statements that Washington supplies intelligence, while Geworg Mirsajan, writing in an RT DE opinion article, said Trump had stopped sharing it. Mirsajan said the halt also covered warnings of imminent Russian ballistic-missile attacks.

Kyiv criticizes pause but remains open to talks

Zelensky said suspending the planned sanctions was wrong and benefited only Russia. He nevertheless said he remained ready for talks with the United States.

The dispute comes as Ukraine faces shortages of US-made Patriot air-defence missiles, according to dpa. European supporters, including Germany, are providing ammunition from their own stocks or seeking missiles from other countries.

Under Trump, the United States no longer provides military aid to Ukraine, dpa reported. NATO countries continue to buy American weapons for Kyiv through a purchasing programme known as PURL. Russian drone and missile attacks since August have caused many civilian casualties and weakened Ukraine’s energy system before winter.