Trump says Russia will supply up to 3.8 million tons of diesel as U.S. eases sanctions
President Trump announced that Russia will deliver up to 3.8 million tons of diesel fuel over the next months, and the Treasury Department will temporarily waive sanctions on Russian energy to facilitate the shipments.
President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin resulted in an agreement for Russia to release 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons in December. He added that, depending on the condition of Russian refineries, an additional three million tons could be supplied in the near term.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced a temporary waiver of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to allow the diesel to reach global markets. In a Kremlin statement, President Putin confirmed the discussion and said Russia is ready to supply oil and petroleum products to American and worldwide markets, expressing confidence that the move will benefit the global economy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the arrangement, describing any easing of sanctions as a weakness and warning that it could fund further aggression.
The announcement marks a shift from the strict sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this month, Trump signed legislation imposing higher tariffs on major purchasers of Russian energy. The administration has also pursued other measures to curb diesel prices, including an executive order permitting the use of red-dyed diesel, which is exempt from a federal tax.
Diesel prices have risen sharply in recent months, with the average U.S. price reaching $6.28 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. The administration cited the diesel supply deal as part of broader efforts to lower fuel costs for consumers and industries such as trucking, agriculture and construction.