Trump says Putin agrees to major release of diesel to US, global markets

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Russia has agreed to release a significant amount of diesel fuel to the global market, aiming to alleviate rising fuel prices in the United States ahead of midterm elections. This move comes as Russian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Trump's actions as "unworthy" and "weak."

The deal, which includes over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to be supplied immediately, followed by larger shipments in November and beyond, was reached during talks between Trump and Putin. The United States has imposed numerous sanctions on Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with fuel prices surging since late February due to Israeli strikes on Iran, which halted oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Zelensky dismissed the deal as dishonest and unworthy, emphasizing that it does not address the ongoing conflict. The U.S. Treasury granted a temporary license for Russian diesel fuel to enter global markets until April 2027. Despite the agreement, the average price of regular U.S. gasoline has increased by over 46% since late February, reaching $4.37 per gallon, while diesel prices have jumped by 67% to $6.28 per gallon.

Ukrainian negotiators met with U.S. envoys in Miami to discuss breaking the stalemate in the conflict, with the urgency heightened by the prospect of continued fighting and attacks on essential infrastructure as winter approaches.