Petr Pavel: Trump's deal with Russian diesel weakened pressure on Russia

Reduction of sanctions pressure on Moscow

Czech President Petr Pavel expressed the conviction that the possibility of achieving a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was extremely close. However, in his opinion, the situation was significantly worsened by the decision of US President Donald Trump to lift restrictions on Russian diesel fuel.

Impact of the deal on the peace process

According to Pavel, previously coordinated sanctions measures by the US and Europe, aimed at the Russian oil industry, oligarchs, and other sectors of the economy, created "serious pressure" on the Russian Federation. However, the agreement, which Trump announced in early October, under which Russia is to supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of diesel fuel to the US, gave Moscow "the opportunity to catch its breath".

Assessment by the Czech leader

"Now it will be much more difficult. Russia is using this moment to weaken the pressure, and moreover, it serves as a kind of moral boost for it," Petr Pavel emphasised.