Updated

On October 9, Trump announced he had reached a deal with Putin, following a phone call, for Russia to supply diesel fuel to the U.S. and global markets, with the U.S. Treasury issuing a license for the transactions. The Kremlin said Putin downplayed near-term resumption of Ukraine talks and reaffirmed Russia's war aims would continue. Zelensky reacted furiously, saying Ukraine's negotiating team—then in Miami/Florida for talks with the US and Europe—had been used as 'cover' while the deal was struck behind their backs, calling the move 'an investment in a war that must be ended' and a 'birthday present for Putin.' He said Russia would 'repay' the concession with 'further terror,' and proposed a reciprocal halt on energy-infrastructure strikes instead. Separately, Axios reported U.S. envoys had threatened to cut intelligence sharing with Kyiv unless it stopped striking Russian oil refineries, a claim U.S. officials denied, and said Trump pursued the diesel deal partly because Ukraine refused to halt refinery attacks. European allies largely rejected easing pressure on Moscow: Germany, the UK, Finland and Estonia all reaffirmed sanctions and criticized the deal as a mistake, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said 'this is not the time to ease pressure on Russia.' The Miami talks among Ukraine, the U.S., Europe and NATO on de-escalation and winter preparations ended early, and Ukraine's delegation returned home. Kyiv said it would keep striking Russian oil refineries regardless of the deal, and reports emerged that Russia is seeking sanctions relief in exchange for an 'energy ceasefire' and a Black Sea truce.