US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russia to release large quantities of diesel fuel into the American and global markets, as rising energy costs put pressure on his administration ahead of the US midterm elections.
Trump disclosed the development on Friday following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Moscow had agreed to supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of diesel in an effort to ease pressure on fuel prices.
The announcement comes as the United States temporarily relaxes certain restrictions on Russian oil products, despite ongoing tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised the decision, describing it as an “unworthy” and “weak” move by Washington.
Trump Announces Major Russian Diesel Supply
In a social media post following his discussions with Putin, Trump announced that Russia would immediately release more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel into the American and international markets.
He also outlined plans for additional supplies in the coming months, saying Russia would provide 500,000 tonnes in November, followed by one million tonnes and further larger releases.
The Kremlin confirmed that Russia had reiterated its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the United States and other global markets.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury issued a temporary licence on Friday allowing Russian diesel to reach international markets through April 2027.
Trump defended the move, arguing that reducing energy costs for Americans was a major priority for his administration.
“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority,” he wrote on social media.
US Fuel Prices Rise as Midterm Elections Approach
The agreement comes at a politically sensitive time for Trump, whose Republican Party faces the possibility of losing control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.
Rising living costs have become a major concern for American voters, with fuel prices experiencing significant increases since late February.
The average price of regular gasoline in the United States has reportedly climbed by more than 46 per cent to $4.37 per gallon, while diesel prices have surged by 67 per cent to $6.28 per gallon over the same period.
The increases followed US-Israeli strikes against Iran, which triggered Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy shipments.
Although Trump has blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to higher fuel costs, the conflict involving Iran has been a major disruption to international energy supplies.
With fuel prices affecting farmers, truckers and other businesses, the Russian diesel agreement represents an attempt by the administration to increase supply and ease pressure on consumers.
Zelensky Criticises Trump’s Decision
The deal has drawn criticism from Zelensky, who expressed disappointment over Washington’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian fuel supplies.
Speaking to reporters, the Ukrainian president said the move was inappropriate given the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
“It is certainly not honest, it is certainly unworthy of our partners, and it is, in my view, a weak decision,” Zelensky said.
Russia has faced multiple rounds of sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The temporary relaxation of restrictions therefore raises questions about how Washington intends to balance its efforts to reduce domestic energy costs with its continued response to Russia’s war.
US and Ukrainian Officials Hold Fresh Peace Talks
The diesel agreement was announced as American and Ukrainian negotiators met in Miami on Friday in another attempt to make progress towards ending the war.
US envoy Steve Witkoff described the discussions as constructive, saying the parties had explored possible ways to reduce tensions and bring the conflict to an end before winter.
The meeting followed visits to Moscow and Kyiv last month by Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, as Washington continued efforts to revive negotiations that have so far produced limited progress.
Representatives from Britain, France and Germany also attended the Miami discussions, alongside officials from NATO and the European Union.
According to Witkoff, the talks covered security guarantees, longer-term arrangements to protect Ukraine and Europe against future conflicts, and support for Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war.
Deadly Attacks Complicate Efforts to End the War
The search for a settlement continues against a backdrop of deadly Russian attacks and concerns about the impact of another winter of fighting on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
On Thursday, a Russian strike on buses in the frontline Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk reportedly killed 30 people.
Trump’s repeated attempts to broker an end to the conflict have also encountered major obstacles, particularly Russia’s territorial demands.
Moscow has insisted on gaining control of the entire eastern Donbas region, including areas that remain under Ukrainian control.
Zelensky has rejected surrendering Ukrainian-held territory, warning that Russia could use such areas as a launching point for another military offensive.
Russia currently occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the latest diesel agreement highlights the competing pressures facing the Trump administration: lowering fuel prices for American consumers while navigating sanctions against Russia and efforts to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Source: AFP
