Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday (October 16) criticised a U.S. deal allowing Russia to resume diesel sales on international markets, warning it could pave the way for easing restrictions on Russian gas exports and other sanctions.

"In my opinion, we cannot accept diesel deals, these agreements, because gas deals will follow. I am absolutely certain of that," Zelenskiy told a news conference on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.

"Sanctions on gas and other things will be lifted, and eventually, it will all come down to the banking system and specific individuals," he added.

Zelenskiy also said the operation of SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications service had improved but had not been fully restored, adding that disruptions had put civilian lives at risk because Ukraine relies on the service in efforts to intercept Russian drones.

"We do not use Starlink for attacks or retaliatory strikes on Russian territory. That is precisely why we contacted SpaceX and the White House, asking them to enable this capability for us," he said.

Ukraine uses Starlink in operations to intercept jet-powered Shahed drones that Russia deploys against Ukrainian cities, Zelenskiy said. When the service's performance was reduced, Ukrainian forces were unable to shoot down some of the drones, he added.

On air defence, Zelenskiy said European allies had sufficient stocks of PAC-2 and PAC-3 Patriot missile interceptors to meet Ukraine's stated requirements for the winter.

Zelenskiy also said he expected Ukraine and its European partners to develop their own version of the Freya anti-ballistic missile system.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

REFEED: Zelenskiy criticises Trump's diesel deal, says it sets precedence for easing sanctions

VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE OF UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY IN BRUSSELS

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT HAS BEEN REFILED WITH ADDITIONAL SOUNDBITE OF ZELENSKIY (SHOT 15)

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (OCTOBER 16, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION – Access all)

1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE

2. ZELENSKIY AND PRESIDENT’S PRESS SECRETARY SERHII NIKIFOROV STANDING AT PODIUM

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“In my opinion, we cannot accept diesel deals, these agreements, because gas deals will follow. I am absolutely certain of that. Sanctions on gas and other things will be lifted, and eventually, it will all come down to the banking system and specific individuals.”

4. JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“We do not use Starlink for attacks or retaliatory strikes on Russian territory. That is precisely why we contacted SpaceX and the White House, asking them to enable this capability for us.”

6. ZELENSKIY STANDING AT PODIUM, LISTENING TO QUESTION

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“We use (Starlink) to intercept jet-powered Shahed drones that fly in and strike our civilians, killing our families.”

8. JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“And when the speed (of Starlink) was reduced, we were unable to shoot down some of the jet-powered Shahed drones. That was very unpleasant. In other words, we were unable to use a tool to protect the civilian population.”

10. JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“And by the end of this year, we expect to receive additional F-16s. We are currently using them in the skies to shoot down Russian jet-powered Shahed drones, which are fast — the fastest ones. The F-16s are proving their worth, and our pilots are achieving very good results.”

12. ZELENSKIY AND NIKIFOROV STANDING AT PODIUM

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“Does Europe have enough PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for Ukraine to get through the winter? Yes, based on the figures I announced — the quantities we would like to receive for the winter. These quantities are available in Europe. Secondly, I expect that we and our European partners will develop our own model of the Freya anti-ballistic missile system.”

14. ZELENSKIY AND NIKIFOROV STANDING AT PODIUM

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"Putin does not want peace talks at the moment, in any form. He’s playing with words, claiming they respond... Quite simply, it looks like a parody of a genuine desire to end the war. He does not want to end the war."

16. ZELENSKIY LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE