Trump approves 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has struck a deal to purchase diesel from Russia, a move that reverses years of U.S. pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine and aims to lower fuel costs before the midterm elections. In a post on social media, Trump said the agreement came after a phone call with President Vladimir Putin, during which the topic of a suspected plague in Russia was expected to surface. Instead, the president revealed that Russia will ship more than 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tons in November and one million tons “immediately thereafter.” The Kremlin plans to deliver an additional three million tons “within a short period of time.”

Trump’s announcement follows a sweeping sanctions bill the White House signed last month, designed to cut Russia’s energy revenue and support Ukraine. The timing is notable because fuel prices have surged, with the national average for diesel at $6.23 per gallon—just below the record $6.52 seen in late September. The midterm election, scheduled for November 3, is a high‑stakes political moment, and the president has framed the deal as a priority for farmers, ranchers, and truckers who bear the brunt of high fuel costs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the deal, calling it a “weak decision” that undermines strong partnerships. Zelenskyy’s statement, released by the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, also suggested that the Trump administration’s team was being used as a smokescreen. The Kremlin, in its own statement, said that during the call Trump and Putin focused on resolving the Ukrainian crisis and discussed the situation around Iran and other bilateral issues. The White House has not yet clarified who will pay for the diesel or when the shipments will reach U.S. refineries.

The deal raises questions about the likelihood of new sanctions this month, as Congress passed a bipartisan law directing the administration to target the top importers of Russian oil and gas. Whether the promised Russian diesel will be available before Election Day remains unclear, and the move could influence voter sentiment on energy policy. Global diesel futures fell after the announcement, but the domestic price remains high, reflecting the complex interplay between geopolitics, market forces, and domestic politics.