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President Trump announced a deal reached in a phone call with Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel fuel to the US and global markets, calling the talks 'highly successful.' Russia subsequently partially lifted its diesel export ban, allowing 500,000 tonnes to reach global markets immediately. The Kremlin said Putin downplayed the prospect of resuming direct Ukraine talks soon, while US envoys reportedly also offered Moscow the release of frozen assets and a Lukoil stake sale as part of broader ceasefire negotiations, according to the New York Times. The deal has drawn sharp criticism from US lawmakers of both parties, with Republicans calling Putin 'a butcher' and warning the agreement would fund Russia's war machine; some in Congress are preparing legislation to block all Russian oil purchases and invoking the Graham sanctions bill. Zelenskyy denounced the arrangement as 'an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged' and said Ukraine felt 'used as a front,' while a Ukrainian delegation returned home from related negotiations with the US.