Trump, Putin agree on deal to release Russian diesel to US, world markets

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached an agreement on Friday to release Russian diesel to global markets, a significant shift in US policy towards Moscow since the beginning of the Ukraine war. The deal aims to tackle surging fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections. Trump disclosed the deal on social media, stating it was reached during a call originally intended to discuss a potential plague outbreak in Russia.

According to Trump, Russia would initially supply over 300,000 tons of diesel, with further deliveries of 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons immediately following. The US Treasury Department granted a temporary license permitting Russian diesel to enter global markets through April 2027. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the nation has faced a series of sanctions from the United States and its allies.

Earlier this year, temporary US sanctions waivers that permitted Russian oil sales raised questions as they might obstruct efforts to starve Moscow of funds for its war in Ukraine. Trump's announcement came just before US, Ukrainian, and European officials were scheduled to convene in Miami for fresh diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine.