Trump authorizes limited Russian diesel imports amid sanctions easing

President Donald Trump announced a deal to purchase Russian diesel, which includes a temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Moscow. The announcement was followed by a claim of an "energy ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia, a proposal that Kyiv said had not been discussed with it, though it expressed willingness to halt attacks on Russian energy sites if Moscow did the same.

Security expert Carlo Masala of the Bundeswehr University Munich said the moves indicate that Trump prioritises domestic politics and relations with Russia over support for Ukraine, adding that the president hopes the agreement will influence the November 3 midterm elections. He noted that the United States faces competitive races for all House seats and a portion of the Senate, with polls suggesting possible losses for the Republican Party.

Thomas Jäger, a political scientist at the University of Cologne, told German broadcaster ARD that the volume of diesel shipments is too small to affect U.S. fuel prices, stating that the planned deliveries would not even meet a single day’s domestic diesel demand. He argued that the primary purpose of the deal is to create a narrative that the president is addressing a concern important to voters.

Kyiv and EU officials warned that revenue from diesel sales could fund Russia’s war effort. Masala, however, does not expect the agreement to provide concrete military benefits to Russia, noting that Washington already suspended sanctions on Russian oil exports in March and that Russia lacks a clear strategy for further advances in the Donbas region.

The United States has also threatened to suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine and to block the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program unless Kyiv ceases strikes on Russian oil refineries. Masala said such a move would have "dramatic" consequences for Kyiv, though European intelligence, particularly from France, could partially offset the loss.

Despite the controversy, Ukraine continues to receive bipartisan support in the United States. Earlier this summer, Congress passed the "Lindsey Graham Act," tightening sanctions on Russia and granting the president broader authority to target Russian officials, oligarchs, and entities involved in evading oil restrictions. Former diplomat Daniel Fried told DW that political forces after the midterms may push the administration toward using these tools to seek an end to the war.

Several senators from both parties have called the diesel deal illegal and urged the administration to reverse the decision.