Day After Trump Announces Russian Oil Purchase, Russian Aerial Bomb Hits Ukrainian Residential Building, Killing 12 Civilians

According to ABC News, a Russian aerial bomb struck a residential building in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region in the early hours of October 10, killing at least 12 civilians, including 3 children, and injuring at least 14 others. Ukrainian President Zelensky posted on social media: "Russia thanked the lifting of diesel export sanctions by attacking a Zaporizhzhia residential building with five glide bombs."

The attack occurred the day after Trump announced a diesel purchase agreement with Russia. According to ABC News, Trump announced on social media on October 10 that he had reached an agreement in a phone call with Russian President Putin, under which Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, add another 500,000 tons in November, provide another 1 million tons "immediately thereafter," and deliver another 3 million tons "in the short term." The report noted that this deal represents a "stunning reversal" of US pressure policy toward Russia, aimed at lowering fuel prices before the US midterm elections.

According to ABC News, Trump had originally expected to discuss a "suspected plague case" with the other party in the October 10 phone call, but instead turned to announcing the above agreement. Kremlin spokesman Peskov subsequently said that Putin accepted Trump's proposals on the Ukraine situation "with understanding," but did not specify the details.

Zelensky denounced the deal as "weak." According to a statement released by the Ukrainian Embassy in the US cited by ABC News, Zelensky called it "a weak decision, and unfortunately, a weak decision made by a strong partner." He noted that the agreement "plays right into Russia's hands — allowing it to kill more people, prolong the war, show greater contempt for the United States, and cause greater losses and destruction to the world." He also stated that the Ukrainian negotiating team was "used merely as a smokescreen," and "this is of course unfair, and of course not how partners should treat each other."

At the same time Trump announced the agreement, his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were meeting with Ukrainian officials in Miami to discuss plans to end the war.

Germany made its position clear after Trump announced the agreement. According to ABC News, Germany stated on October 10 that it would continue to maintain the sanctions it has imposed on Russia due to the Russia-Ukraine war. This stance stands in sharp contrast to Washington's pivot.

More ironically, according to ABC News, just one month ago, Trump had just signed a comprehensive Russia sanctions bill aimed at cracking down on oil and gas revenues that fund Russia's war. Now, millions of tons of Russian energy products are about to flow into the US market.

Ukraine is struggling to cope with escalating Russian bombardment. According to ABC News, over the past four days, more than 55 Ukrainians have died in Russian attacks, with a single bus station attack on Thursday alone killing 33. Civilians continue to pay the price.