Exclusive: Ukraine fears Trump could grant Russia long-sought relief for fertilizer industry

U.S. President Donald Trump may be considering easing sanctions against Russia, particularly in the fertilizer industry, following his recent diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to several Ukrainian and U.S. officials. This approach would aim to persuade Moscow to end its war against Ukraine by offering economic benefits, one U.S. government official said.

Ukrainian officials are worried that Washington might grant Russia sanctions relief in the fertilizer sector, an industry Russia has long sought to ease restrictions on, even though the U.S. has not directly sanctioned Russian fertilizers or banned imports. Russia has repeatedly requested an ease of restrictions on its agricultural exports during negotiations over the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) in 2022, but Western governments have not sanctioned Russian food and fertilizer exports directly.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the diesel deal could lead to further sanctions relief for Russia, with fertilizers being a potential area of focus. Zelensky stated that he does not accept such agreements, fearing that gas deals and subsequent sanctions relief could follow. Russia's President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he intends to continue fighting in Ukraine, and further economic concessions from Washington could provide Russia with additional revenue without addressing its military objectives.