Trump announces agreement for Russian diesel fuel imports to the US

WASHINGTON — President Trump stated on Friday that the United States will purchase significant quantities of Russian diesel fuel to address rising fuel costs. This announcement has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described it as a "weak decision" that would support Russian President Vladimir Putin's military efforts. The Treasury Department issued a general license that permits companies to buy or sell Russian diesel without the risk of US sanctions. Trump shared on Truth Social that he had a successful discussion with Putin, resulting in an agreement for Russia to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the US and global markets immediately, with an additional 500,000 tons in November, and 1,000,000 tons thereafter. He also mentioned that Russia would deliver 3,000,000 tons of diesel fuel shortly based on the condition of their refineries. As Trump left the White House for a campaign rally in upstate New York, he expressed gratitude towards Putin, stating, "We have massive amounts of oil coming into our country, and it’s diesel, which is what we want." Zelensky criticized the decision, advocating for stronger US sanctions on Russian oil products, and stated, "It is certainly unworthy of our partners, and it is, in my view, a weak decision." He further commented in an Axios interview that the deal appeared to be a "happy birthday present for Putin" and warned that allowing Russia to sell petroleum products would prolong the conflict. Trump did not respond directly to Zelensky's remarks but emphasized the need for oil, stating, "We are a strong partner. We need oil for the world. And this is diesel, which is what we need." Previously, Trump had criticized Zelensky for drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, which increased international fuel prices. The new policy on Russian diesel may alleviate domestic price concerns ahead of the November 3 midterm elections and marks a change in Trump's approach to Russian commodities, which he had previously targeted to pressure Putin regarding the Ukraine invasion. On September 18, Trump signed the "Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," set to take effect on October 19, imposing a 500% tariff on Russian goods and allowing secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Russian fuel. Many provisions of this law can be waived by the president. Trump had previously imposed significant oil sanctions against Russia last October but has issued waivers this year due to the economic impact of the Iran conflict.