Trump strikes diesel deal with Putin; Zelensky calls it “not fair and not honest”
Trump says Russia will supply diesel to the US and global markets as the Treasury eases sanctions on Russian diesel; Ukraine's Zelensky called the deal "not fair and not honest".
US President Donald Trump said on Friday, 9 October, that he had struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel to the United States and global markets, a move Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called “not fair and not honest”.
Trump announced the deal on social media after a phone call with Putin, Fortune reported. Shortly afterwards, the US Treasury issued a licence allowing Russian diesel to be sold, Kyiv Post reported.
What Trump announced
According to Trump’s post, as reported by Fortune and Kyiv Post:
- Russia will immediately supply more than 3 lakh (300,000) tons of diesel
- A further 5 lakh (500,000) tons will follow in November, then 10 lakh (1 million) tons
- Russia will deliver another 30 lakh (3 million) tons “within a short period of time”; Kyiv Post said Trump made this depend on the condition of Russia’s refineries
Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority.
Donald Trump, on social media, as reported by Kyiv Post
Fortune reported that US diesel averaged $6.23 a gallon, after a record $6.52 on 22 September, as the war involving Iran disrupts energy markets. The White House did not say who would pay for the diesel or when it would arrive.
A sanctions U-turn
Kyiv Post said the Treasury licence allows the sale and import of Russian diesel until 7 April 2027. It came about three weeks after Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law on 18 September, which targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors. Fortune reported that the law also directs tariffs of up to 100% on the top importers of Russian oil or gas, and that the diesel deal casts doubt on whether those sanctions will be imposed.
Russia has banned almost all diesel exports since July, after Ukrainian drone strikes hit much of its refining capacity, Kyiv Post reported.
Zelensky’s reaction
In an interview with Axios, Zelensky said the US never raised a diesel deal during talks with Ukrainian negotiators in Florida, and that the announcement came while US envoys were meeting Ukrainian and European officials in Miami.
It looks like a happy birthday present for Putin. It looks absolutely terrible.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s President, to Axios
He told Axios he would have backed easing energy sanctions if it had been tied to an “energy ceasefire”, but added: “We need the Americans.” Trump declined to respond to Zelensky’s criticism on Friday and said he was happy with the deal, Axios reported.
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