Trump defends Russia diesel deal as prices rise: "The right choice for the American people"

President Trump defended his decision to suspend export sanctions on Russian fuel, calling the deal the "right choice" for the American people. According to CBS News, the administration's goal is to drive down fuel prices. Trump has accused Europe of hypocrisy for continuing to import Russian energy, while PBS NewsHour reports that the president attributes high energy prices to Ukraine rather than his war in the Middle East.

The agreement has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, with Semafor reporting that the move could direct approximately $4 billion in US funds to Moscow. In response to the deal, the EU’s top diplomat stated that it is not the time to ease pressure on Russia. On Monday, the EU also unveiled its largest sanctions package to date against entities accused of supporting Russia’s war efforts.

Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak stated on Rossiya-24 state TV that Russia has the capacity to increase diesel fuel exports, which could reach 3.0-3.5 million metric tonnes per month by the end of the year. Novak noted that under the deal, Russian diesel supplies would partially balance global supply and demand. Meanwhile, People Daily Kenya reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to respond to Russia's continuing attacks on the Ukrainian power grid during a gathering of European security officials in Warsaw.

Brief written by urgent.news from CBS News, Free Malaysia Today, People Daily Kenya, PBS NewsHour, Semafor — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.