"Every dollar from this diesel is a purchased missile": Ukraine's third President Yushchenko addresses Trump
Photo source: Facebook / Viktor Yushchenko
Ukraine's third President, Viktor Yushchenko, reminded US President Donald Trump of Washington's obligations to protect Ukrainian sovereignty and spoke out against trade in Russian diesel fuel. In an open letter, he linked Russia's fuel export revenues directly to the continuation of the war. He urged the US President not to forget the agreements reached after Ukraine surrendered its nuclear weapons.
Yushchenko published the address on his Facebook page, prompted by Trump's agreements with the Russian ruler regarding diesel fuel exports, according to Rubryka.
The former president stated that he considers both calls for Ukraine to cease fighting and decisions that open trade opportunities with Russia during wartime unacceptable.
"It looks wild and painful when calls echo for Ukraine to 'stop,' alongside lectures on whom we should elect and how we should live, or when a green light is given to trade in Russian diesel. Every dollar from this diesel is a purchased missile that will strike our homes tomorrow. Trading with the aggressor during such a slaughter feeds its war machine," the letter reads.
As an argument in his address, Yushchenko cited Ukraine's decision to surrender its nuclear arsenal after the collapse of the Soviet Union. According to him, the country possessed the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world at the time, but surrendered these weapons, relying on peace and assurances from international partners.
"We voluntarily surrendered these weapons for the sake of peace on the planet, trusting the words and signatures of great powers," he noted.
Yushchenko recalled that in 1994, the US, alongside partners, signed the Budapest Memorandum, which provided security assurances, sovereignty, and the inviolability of Ukrainian borders. He emphasized that the United States assumed moral and legal obligations toward Ukraine.
"In 1994, the US, together with partners, signed the Budapest Memorandum, providing Ukraine with official security guarantees, sovereignty, and the inviolability of our borders. America took upon itself a moral and legal obligation to serve as our shield and defender. So how can anyone today, when a treacherous enemy has attacked us, forget the signature of Great America under this document?" the third president emphasized.
Background
It should be noted that on October 9, US President Donald Trump stated that he spoke by telephone with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and reached an agreement regarding Russian diesel fuel supplies to the US and global markets.
In turn, Volodymyr Zelenskyi stated that easing sanctions against Russia without long-term de-escalation agreements only helps Moscow continue its war. Ukraine's president responded in this manner to Donald Trump's decision to allow the sale of Russian oil products. The American leader called the agreement with the Kremlin beneficial for the US and stated he wanted to thank Vladimir Putin for it.
Zelenskyi noted that strikes by the Defense Forces on oil refineries and other oil facilities in Russia represent a response to the Kremlin's years-long campaign targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure. However, according to the president, Ukraine will not strike Russian oil refining facilities if the Russians halt these attacks.
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