Trump Announces Deal With Putin for Massive Russian Diesel Imports

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply large volumes of diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. Trump said the deal followed a phone call with Putin and would bring prices down quickly for American farmers, ranchers, and truckers.

Under the terms Trump described, Russia would immediately deliver more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons shortly after. An additional 3 million tons could be supplied within a short period depending on refinery conditions, potentially totaling over 4.8 million tons.

“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority.”

The U.S. Treasury Department simultaneously issued a temporary general license authorizing transactions involving Russian-origin diesel through April 7, 2027. The license permits the sale, delivery, and import of the fuel despite existing sanctions imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The announcement marks a sharp reversal of U.S. policy that had sought to isolate Moscow economically. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move as a "weak decision" by strong partners, while the White House did not immediately clarify who would pay for the fuel or when deliveries would begin.

Analysts expressed skepticism about Russia's ability to fulfill the promised volumes given current export constraints. The Kremlin confirmed Putin's willingness to supply oil and products to global markets and said the leaders also discussed Ukraine, Iran, and bilateral relations.