Trump reportedly threatens to cut Ukraine intel to halt Russian refinery strikes, lifts diesel sanctions for oil deal

According to France 24, U.S. President Trump announced a substantive oil deal with Russia by temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian diesel, and demanded that Ukrainian President Zelensky immediately stop strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Citing the UK's Financial Times, France 24 reported that the Ukrainian negotiating team was told during a meeting on Friday with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner that if the strikes do not stop, the U.S. side will cut off intelligence assistance to Ukraine. This threat pushed the White House's diplomatic pressure on Ukraine to a new level.

France 24 noted in its report that Ukraine is currently facing intense diplomatic pressure and coercion from the Trump administration aimed at ending the war quickly. The structure presents a clear asymmetry: on one hand, pressuring Kyiv to give up its right to strike targets in Russia's rear; on the other hand, trading sanctions relief for oil concessions from Moscow.

According to France 24, the EU believes that the aforementioned diesel deal means more revenue flowing into Moscow, effectively endorsing it, and undermines Europe's long-running sanctions efforts and attempts to isolate President Putin. This statement indicates that a clear rift has emerged between Brussels and Washington on the economic front against Russia, and that Europe's strategy of weakening Russia's war machine is encountering a counter-move from a transatlantic partner.

The report also noted that former Swedish Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, in his capacity as co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, offered an assessment on France 24's "Spotlight" program of the developments over the past 48 hours and Europe's current situation.