Trump Strikes Deal with Putin to Get Diesel in Sharp Reversal of US Policy Weeks before Midterms
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he has struck a deal to obtain diesel from Russia, a stunning reversal of years of U.S. pressure on Moscow over its war with Ukraine and an attempt to address high fuel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Russia would supply more than 1.8 million tons of diesel fuel in a surprising reversal of U.S. policy on Moscow. The deal, struck during a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, comes weeks before the U.S. midterm elections and amidst high global diesel prices.
The supply plan includes 300,000 tons immediately, 500,000 tons in November, and 1 million tons shortly thereafter. Additional 3 million tons are to follow within a "short period of time" after that. This move contrasts sharply with the Russia sanctions law signed by Trump last month, aimed at curbing oil and gas revenues financing Russia's conflict in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the deal as a "weak decision" and questioned the loyalty of U.S. partners. Lawmakers criticized Trump's move as a betrayal of Ukraine and U.S. national security interests, calling for an end to the U.S. war with Iran instead.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
