[Anchor] Criticism is mounting that the true face of the Trump administration's erratic diplomacy has been exposed once again through the import of Russian diesel fuel and sanctions by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Reporter Yoo Tu-kwon reports.

[Reporter] Ukraine was thrown into turmoil when President Trump announced that he would import Russian diesel fuel.

President Zelenskyy criticized the move, saying it amounts to investing in a war that needs to be ended immediately and that Russia will ultimately be betrayed.

Russia, having achieved a significant diplomatic success, even subtly hinted at the possibility of other behind-the-scenes agreements.

[Yuri Ushakov / Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Russian President: I believe the U.S. side will provide a clearer explanation regarding this issue (whether the U.S. made concessions in exchange for the diesel supply).]

Although criticism is pouring in from inside and outside the U.S., President Trump avoided giving a direct answer.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: (President Zelenskyy said the diesel deal was a weak measure and would only prolong the war.) Oil is needed for the whole world. And this is the diesel we absolutely need. I am very glad to have secured it.]

Regarding the failure of his Nobel Peace Prize bid, he harshly criticized not only the Nobel Committee but also Norway, a NATO ally.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: I will never forget Norway for not awarding the Nobel Prize for the greatest achievement in history.]

At the same time, the Trump administration requested that allies join the unilateral ICC sanctions being pushed through.

He specifically singled out allies that rely on the U.S. military.

[Marco Rubio / U.S. Secretary of State: I expect allies, many of whom are ICC members and rely on the U.S. military for their defense, to tighten the reins on the 'rogue tribunal.']

However, eight countries, including major European allies as well as Japan, immediately issued a joint statement publicly criticizing the U.S. action.

In particular, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi took an unusual step by posting on social media again to express regret over the ICC sanctions and clearly state his position of strong opposition.

This move stands in contrast to the passive response taken previously when the Trump administration sanctioned the Japanese ICC Director and others.

This is Yoo Tu-kwon from YTN.

Video Editing: Ma Young-hoo
Design: Kim Hyo-jin

YTN Yoo Tu-kwon (r2kwon@ytn.co.kr)

※ 'Your Tip Becomes News'

[KakaoTalk] Search for YTN and add the channel

[Phone] 02-398-8585

[Email] social@ytn.co.kr

▶ Original Article: https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0104_202610...

▶ Send a Tip: https://mj.ytn.co.kr/mj/mj_write.php

▣ Subscribe to YTN YouTube Channel: http://goo.gl/Ytb5SZ

ⓒ YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use of AI data are prohibited.