Trump convinces Putin to restart diesel exports
The first result of the US reengaging in talks over Ukraine has arrived: yet another easing of sanctions against Russia.
Donald Trump held a successful conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, resulting in the resumption of Russia's diesel fuel exports to the global market. According to Trump, Russia would initially supply over 2 million tons of diesel this year, with potential increases to 3 million tons per month after that.
The U.S. Treasury has already lifted sanctions on the sale of Russian diesel fuel, allowing it to enter the global market. Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak, confirmed the immediate lifting of the ban on diesel exports, which had been in place since July 2021. Russia could potentially increase its exports to 3 million tons per month, reaching levels seen before the war.
The lifting of U.S. sanctions is unlikely to significantly impact Russian diesel exports, as Russia had previously supplied just 10% below prewar levels. Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries have been a major obstacle to exports, forcing a sixfold decrease in shipments in July 2026. Despite the sanctions removal, Russia's ability to ramp up exports quickly remains uncertain due to the damage inflicted on its refineries during the conflict.
Russian officials attribute the resumption of diesel fuel exports to the successful outcome of their conversation with Trump, but no agreement on de-escalating the war in Ukraine appears to have been reached.
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