Trump says Russia to supply diesel to US and world markets under new deal

US President Donald Trump said on social media on Friday, 9 October, that he made a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call that was expected to discuss a suspected plague outbreak in Russia, according to DW and France 24. Trump wrote that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes "immediately thereafter." He wrote that Russia would deliver another 3 million tonnes "within a short period of time" after that. Trump said, "Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority."

The US Treasury Department said it was immediately issuing a temporary license allowing Russian diesel to be supplied to the global market through April 2027, according to DW. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev reposted the announcement on X, saying that "Russia-US cooperation on diesel and energy will benefit the world." Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia was ready to start supplying additional diesel volumes to the United States and other countries from October, and that exports are expected to rise further in November and December as refineries resume operations after maintenance. France 24 reported that the White House did not immediately respond to questions about who would pay for the diesel or when the fuel would become available.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the agreement, writing on social media that any easing of sanctions without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious sign of "weakness." He wrote, "Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will 'repay' the diesel with further terror and perfidy." Zelenskyy said that allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged, and that Ukraine hopes the US will have a strong conversation with Russia: "A strong one, not a weak one."

DW reported that the deal is a turnaround in US policy toward Moscow since the start of the war in Ukraine, and France 24 described it as a reversal of years of US pressure on Russia. Both outlets reported the deal aims to address high fuel prices before the US midterm elections. Trump signed a broad Russia sanctions law last month intended to clamp down on Russia's energy sector, according to DW and France 24. France 24 reported that the law directs tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries importing less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports that have taken significant steps to reduce those imports, and that the diesel deal casts doubt on whether the White House will impose sanctions on Russia this month.

The national average price for a gallon of diesel in the US was $6.23 on Friday, according to AAA, and France 24 reported that gas prices globally have risen as the war in Iran affects the energy sector. Trump announced the deal while US, Ukrainian and European officials were meeting in Miami for talks aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine, according to DW. US envoy Steve Witkoff said Ukrainian, European, US and NATO representatives held constructive discussions in Miami and agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. The Kremlin released a statement from Putin saying that during the call he and Trump devoted "significant attention to the prospects of resolving the Ukrainian crisis" and discussed "the situation around Iran and various aspects of bilateral relations."