Trump and Putin Strike Diesel Deal; Zelenskyy Condemns Sanctions Waiver

President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 9, 2026, to supply more than 4 million tons of diesel to global markets. The Treasury Department issued a general license on Friday temporarily waiving sanctions on Russian diesel through April 2027.

Russia to Supply Millions of Tons of Diesel

Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by 500,000 tons in November, and 1 million tons immediately thereafter, Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. Moscow will deliver another 3 million tons of diesel depending on the condition of Russia’s refineries, Trump said. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, praised the energy cooperation on X, writing that it would benefit the world.

Fuel Price Surges Pressure Trump Before Midterm Elections

Diesel prices have surged globally as Ukraine has targeted Russian refineries, forcing Moscow to ban diesel exports. Trump faced growing political pressure to lower fuel prices ahead of the November midterm elections, with Republicans facing tough races in strongholds like Iowa where farmers feel the pinch of high diesel costs. Earlier in the week, Trump issued an executive order permitting truckers to use tax-exempt offroad diesel on highways without federal penalties, though the order only defers the tax obligation.

Zelenskyy Condemns the Accord

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately criticized the diesel deal. Zelenskyy warned that easing sanctions without a Russian commitment to de-escalate will only prolong the war. Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world, Zelenskyy said in a social media post. Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. Zelenskyy also noted that he had received a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress in Kyiv on Friday before making his remarks.

The first batch of more than 300,000 tons is scheduled for immediate delivery, with the sanctions waiver remaining in effect until April 2027.