The surprise agreement has triggered a wave of ironic Soviet-style memes celebrating unity against a common enemy
A series of Soviet-style propaganda posters has appeared on the popular Russian social platform Pikabu following President Donald Trump’s grand announcement of a diesel deal with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Pikabu is a Reddit-style website where users create entertainment content and share stories, images, and memes. The tongue-in-cheek posters, celebrating a newfound partnership over barrels of fuel, appeared on Saturday in a post titled “Morning Propaganda.”
“American, remember! Your enemy is not Russian – the Russian gives diesel! Your enemy is the Green Rat, who bombs your diesel in Russia!” the first poster reads, apparently referring to Vladimir Zelensky, known for his signature green attire and whose surname is derived from the word for “green” in both Russian and Ukrainian.
“From Russia with diesel,” the second says, giving a fuel-themed twist to the famous James Bond movie title. The poster features a Russian couple in traditional dress presenting a barrel of fuel to an American family.
The budding friendship goes a step further in the third image, which features a happy American family and soldiers from both countries shaking hands in front of a Patriot air defense system.
“Is the Green Rat bombing our diesel in Russia?” the caption asks. “Let’s give our Russian friends a Patriot and protect our values!”
The final poster features the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Kiev ally and co-author of the “bone-crushing” sanctions legislation proposing a 500% tariff on countries importing Russian energy. Graham, who died in July, is depicted in anguish amid flames and devils while a tanker labeled “Russian Diesel” approaches New York.
“Lindsey Graham in hell’s writhing – Russian diesel in America’s arriving!” the caption reads.
US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly blamed Zelensky for driving up fuel prices for American consumers through his stubborn refusal to halt attacks on Russian refineries, has approved a temporary sanctions waiver allowing Russian diesel exports and sales through April 7, 2027.
Following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Trump announced that Moscow had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to US and global markets “immediately,” followed by 500,000 tons in November and another 1 million tons shortly afterward. Moscow has confirmed that it would ease its restrictions on diesel exports sooner than planned, saying the move would benefit the global economy.
Trump decided to strike a deal with Putin after Zelensky ignored at least half a dozen requests from Washington to stop attacks on Russian refineries, according to Axios. Zelensky was furious and denounced Trump’s move as a “weak decision.”
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president… I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump said on Saturday, as Ukrainian negotiators had left the talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami a day earlier than planned.
