US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release millions of tons of Russian diesel into American and global markets in an effort to reduce rising fuel prices.
The announcement, made on Friday (Oct. 9), marks a significant shift in US policy toward Moscow, following years of sanctions imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump said he had held a highly successful discussion with Putin, during which Russia agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel.
Under the agreement, Russia will provide another 500,000 tons in November, followed by 1 million tons shortly afterward.
Trump said an additional 3 million tons would be delivered within a short period, depending on the condition of Russia’s diesel refineries.
The US Treasury Department has also issued a temporary license allowing Russian diesel to enter global markets until April 2027, easing restrictions previously imposed to limit Moscow’s energy revenues.
The agreement comes amid soaring fuel prices in the United States, driven partly by disruptions to global energy supplies resulting from the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Rising diesel costs have increased pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the November midterm elections, with higher transportation and agricultural costs contributing to inflation.
However, energy analysts have questioned whether the additional Russian supplies will significantly reduce fuel prices, given continuing disruptions to global refining capacity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the decision, warning that easing sanctions against Moscow without a lasting agreement to de-escalate the war could undermine efforts to pressure Russia into ending the conflict.
The agreement represents a major change in Washington’s approach to Russian energy exports as the Trump administration seeks to balance economic pressures at home with its foreign policy objectives. (Newswire)
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