Donald Trump announced a deal to import Russian diesel into the United States, with the Kremlin agreeing to release 300,000 tonnes immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and additional volumes later. The US Treasury suspended sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April as part of the arrangement.
Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelensky condemned the deal as a gift to Vladimir Putin and an investment in prolonging the war rather than ending it. Zelensky said Russia would repay the diesel with "further terror" and called for a strong American response to Russia instead.
Putin confirmed Russia's willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to US and global markets, though he did not specify quantities. An envoy for Putin, Kirill Dmitriev, said the arrangement would benefit the world.
The Trump administration announced the deal as fuel prices weigh on American consumers and his political standing ahead of the midterm elections. Average US diesel prices stand at $6.28 per gallon, according to the AAA, down from a record $6.53 in late September.
Investment strategist Tim Armitage at Quilter Cheviot questioned the deal's practical impact. He noted the first tranche equated to approximately 2.25 million barrels, while daily US consumption runs around 3.8 million barrels, meaning "it won't make a material difference to pump prices in the US." Armitage called it "a slightly desperate move by President Trump to try to lower inflation ahead of the midterms."
Analysts questioned whether Russia can deliver the promised quantities. Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have reduced diesel production by an estimated 30 percent, according to the International Energy Agency. Trump has criticized those attacks, blaming them for high fuel prices. Zelensky defended the strikes, saying they respond to Russia's destruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The BBC reported the White House has not disclosed what Russia will receive in return. The UK government said it would maintain the "toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK" against Russia and continue supporting Ukraine's defense.
The arrangement represents a reversal of recent US policy. Congress enacted legislation that Trump signed authorizing new sanctions and tariffs on nations importing Russian oil and gas.