“They Are Trying to Push Us Into a Weaker Position”: Expert Explains Why the US Allowed Russian Diesel Imports

Political expert and Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman Oleksandr Musiienko commented on Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel onto the market and explained why Ukraine was given an ultimatum regarding oil refineries, Politeka reports.

He spoke about this in his blog.

“I monitored the right-conservative information space in the United States, including Fox News, Newsmax, the New York Post, and the Washington Times — in other words, the media followed by most Republican supporters. There is no enthusiasm in the US over Trump’s decision. The media are presenting the issue in a balanced way, including relevant comments from Ukrainian officials and a lengthy quote from Zelenskyy saying that this is unfair and explaining that it will only encourage Putin to continue his aggression,” Oleksandr Musiienko said.

According to him, senators have already sent a letter to Trump, arguing that the US president violated a 2022 law banning imports of Russian energy products. They are demanding that the decision to allow Russian diesel imports be revoked. Many influential figures and influencers have also spoken out against Trump’s decision, including far-right activist Laura Loomer.

Apparently, the expert says, Trump’s team monitored the information space, saw the negative reaction and decided to frame the situation as an energy truce between Ukraine and Russia.

However, he stresses, as Axios reports, the proposal concerns a halt to strikes on oil refineries. Yet if you compare the number of refineries operating in Ukraine with those in Russia, it becomes clear that this would mean taking away Ukraine’s most effective means of putting pressure on the enemy.

Instead, the expert argues, the sides should have worked on framework agreements with the US acting as a mediator to limit strikes and agree on a list of protected targets: energy infrastructure, water and heating facilities, oil refineries, ports, and vessels in the Black Sea.

“We can see that Russia is refusing to do this. Once again, greetings to those who think that negotiations can simply be held right now. Putin is waiting for concessions from Ukraine, and the US is taking the same position. All Trump is interested in right now is getting Ukraine to stop striking oil refineries.

Okay, we can issue all the necessary orders and instructions to the army. We are ready to take this step, but let Russia also comply. Russia does not comply and continues to strike civilian targets. Under these conditions, we are in a weaker position. They are trying to push us into a weaker position,” Oleksandr Musiienko concluded.