Putin Rules Out Ukraine Talks; Russia US Strike Diesel Deal; Zelensky Furious; Missiles Strike Kiev

Summary

Alexander Mercouris argues that the reported US–Russia diesel arrangement is less significant than the apparent deterioration in prospects for negotiations over Ukraine.

Diesel deal and sanctions

The US reportedly agreed to a temporary easing of sanctions affecting Russian diesel exports, potentially allowing Russia to resume exports. Mercouris says this is not a major new concession: the US has previously issued temporary waivers for Russian oil, and Russia has long said it is willing to sell energy to buyers. He also argues that the volumes involved are unlikely to make a substantial difference to the global diesel shortage.

Mercouris rejects reports of an agreed pause in attacks on energy infrastructure. He says Moscow has repeatedly opposed temporary ceasefires, arguing that Ukraine could use them to regroup while continuing its attacks.

Prospects for negotiations

Citing Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov’s account of the Putin–Trump call, Mercouris says Putin told Trump that Ukrainian actions—including attacks that Putin said disrupted Russia’s elections—had made an immediate resumption of trilateral talks impossible.

Mercouris describes this as the most important development, saying Russia is now reconsidering whether talks make sense. He contrasts this with Russia’s earlier stated readiness to negotiate and blames Ukraine for previous stalled talks. This is Mercouris’s assessment of the negotiations’ history.

Drone campaign and US–Ukraine friction

Mercouris says Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries caused damage but did not produce the economic or political disruption their supporters expected. He contends that Russian countermeasures have reduced the attacks’ impact and that claims of extensive Russian refining capacity being disabled are overstated.

He speculates that the campaign was prepared with substantial US intelligence and European involvement. He also says reports indicate that Trump made at least six requests for Zelensky to stop the attacks. Mercouris argues that Zelensky refused partly because the campaign demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to strike Russia and supports requests for continued Western funding.

Mercouris interprets the diesel arrangement as a signal of US displeasure with Kyiv and suggests Washington could use intelligence cooperation as leverage. He says Zelensky reacted angrily to Trump’s dealings with Putin, while predicting that the drone campaign will continue despite US pressure.

Zelensky and South Korea

Mercouris criticizes Zelensky’s handling of the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. He says Ukraine had agreed to keep the transfer quiet, but Zelensky disclosed it publicly, prompting a diplomatic dispute and South Korea to recall its ambassador. Mercouris presents the episode as part of his broader criticism of Zelensky’s conduct toward foreign partners.

Strikes and battlefield updates

Mercouris reports continuing Russian attacks on Kyiv’s electricity infrastructure, including substations and power lines, resulting in blackouts and disruption to the metro. He also describes damage to bridges around Zaporizhzhia and says Russian attacks are making routes to Ukrainian forces more difficult.

On the ground, he relays Russian claims of control over a pocket in northeastern Kharkiv, advances north of Sumy, and progress in Dobropillya. These battlefield descriptions are reports and assessments presented by the commentator.

Presenter: Alexander Mercouris