Lavrov says Zelensky's stance on Russian diesel deal is a "direct and rude challenge" to Trump

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's opposition to the U.S.-Russia diesel agreement amounted to a "direct" and "rude" challenge to President Donald Trump.

Lavrov said Moscow had supported the proposed diesel deal, while Zelensky was instead seeking more Patriot missiles and insisting Ukraine retain the ability to strike Russian energy infrastructure, including oil refineries.

He accused Zelensky of believing "the whole world owes him something" while being unwilling to take what Lavrov described as constructive and equal steps toward negotiations.

Lavrov also criticized German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul over their September meeting in New York. Wadephul has said the talks convinced him Russia was not interested in a ceasefire and that Germany should continue firmly supporting Ukraine. Lavrov dismissed that interpretation, saying Wadephul had merely repeated Berlin's existing position.

Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian refineries Thursday after Zelensky declared the U.S.-backed energy ceasefire effectively over, saying Russia had continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure during Kyiv's three-day pause.