President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russia on October 9, 2026, to import millions of tons of diesel to lower U.S. fuel prices ahead of the midterms. The agreement prompted the U.S. Treasury to ease sanctions, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the move as a dangerous gift to Moscow.
The United States will buy Russian diesel under an agreement announced by President Donald Trump on October 9, 2026. The pact marks a sudden reversal for an administration that previously pressured other nations, including India, to cut off Russian energy purchases.
Treasury Issues Temporary Sanctions Waiver as Trump and Putin Reach Terms
Trump revealed the agreement on his Truth Social network following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the announcement, Russia agreed to release 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons thereafter.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed that Moscow would immediately begin lifting its export ban as a result of the talks. The Kremlin stated that the discussion also touched on resolving the conflict in Ukraine and the situation surrounding Iran.
Shortly after the announcement, the U.S. Treasury Department formally issued a temporary general license through April 7, 2027, suspending sanctions on qualifying Russian diesel shipments. Trump added that an additional 3 million tons of diesel would be delivered within a short period, dependent on the operational status of Russian refineries.
Following the announcement, the Department of the Treasury issued a general license authorizing the sale, delivery, and import of Russian-origin diesel fuel. An envoy for Putin, Kirill Dmitriev, welcomed the deal by stating on social media that co-operation between the two nations on diesel and energy would benefit the world, while Putin confirmed in a Kremlin statement that the Russian side affirmed its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the U.S. and global markets.
Political Pressure Mounts Over Surging Fuel Prices Ahead of Midterms
The diesel deal comes as the White House seeks to contain political damage from soaring energy costs. A gallon of diesel in the U.S. reached a record high of $6.53 on September 22, according to AAA data, and averaged nearly $6.28 on the day of the announcement.
High transportation and fuel expenses have squeezed farmers, truckers, and businesses, driving broader inflation just weeks before the November midterm elections. Last month, several trucking and freight businesses filed for bankruptcy as prices surged. In addition to the import deal, President Trump signed an executive order this week allowing the continued tax and penalty-free use of normally restricted red-dyed diesel on highways, and he previously pressured G7 nations to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from stockpiles.
While diesel futures fell about 4% following the announcement, they remained more than 110% higher than at the start of the year, while Brent crude traded down just 0.3% at around $104 a barrel.
Zelenskyy Condemns the Agreement While Peace Talks Proceed in Miami
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted with fury to the sanctions relief, accusing Washington of undercutting the allied effort to isolate Moscow’s war economy. Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy argued that the arrangement amounted to a birthday present for the Russian leader, who turned 74 earlier in the week.
“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and perfidy.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via CBS News
Lawmakers in Washington also voiced sharp disagreement across party lines.
Refinery Strikes and Energy Infrastructure Targeting Continue
The diplomatic collision over fuel supplies unfolded against an ongoing campaign of infrastructure attacks. Russian petroleum export terminals and refineries have faced severe disruptions following multiple Ukrainian drone strikes, which the International Energy Agency estimated reduced Russian diesel production by nearly 30%.
Trump has repeatedly blamed those refinery attacks for driving up global fuel prices and urged Kyiv to halt its strikes, stating publicly that he asked President Zelenskyy not to hit the diesel plants because that is what is driving costs up. Hours before the sanctions waiver was made public, however, a suspected drone strike triggered a large fire at the Yug Rusi oil-loading terminal in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
Meanwhile, a UK government spokesperson stated that their position remains clear and that they will continue to work with international partners to support Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime the UK has ever imposed.