Ukraine war briefing: Trump and Zelenskyy’s public tussle over Russian fuel deal worsens

NBC News reports that the US agreed Friday to lift sanctions on Russian fuel[2]. Trump said the deal would see Russia release 300,000 tons of diesel straight away, followed by 500,000 tons in November and another million after that.[2]According to Axios, a US official said Trump made the deal after Zelensky ignored half a dozen U.S. requests to stop attacking Russian oil refineries[3].Zelenskyy told Axios the deal was "not fair and not honest"[4].Trump told reporters on Saturday: "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal"[4], according to Axios.NBC News reports that Zelenskyy told ABC News he would hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.[2] He also said Kyiv was ready to halt strikes on Russian refineries if the Kremlin halts its own attacks[2] on Ukraine's energy grid.According to PBS, Zelenskyy said Russia kept attacking Ukraine's energy facilities even after Trump announced an "energy truce" effective immediately[5].The Washington Post reports that Trump drew backlash from U.S. lawmakers of both parties[6]. CNN reports that Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said the deal stands "in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada, and our allies"[7].