Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky criticises 'gift to Putin'

United States President Donald Trump has struck an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to the international market, drawing sharp condemnation from Ukrainian leadership.

Under the terms announced by Trump on his Truth Social platform, Moscow will promptly supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel. That initial batch is scheduled to be followed by 500,000 tonnes in November, with an additional one million tonnes planned subsequently. Trump asserted that the arrangement would rapidly drive down fuel expenses for American consumers and global markets.

Following the announcement, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary license permitting Russian diesel transactions. Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy representing Putin, endorsed the development online, describing energy collaboration between Moscow and Washington as beneficial for the world.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly opposed the move, arguing that softening sanctions provides financial support to the Kremlin and ultimately extends the ongoing conflict. Writing on social media, Zelensky stated that granting Russia permission to export petroleum commodities represents an investment in continuing the war, adding that offerings to Putin would fail to bring peace.

The pact comes as Trump faces mounting domestic pressure over high living costs ahead of upcoming midterm elections. Domestic diesel costs have roughly doubled following the outbreak of war with Iran in February. While national pump prices have declined slightly from late September records of $6.53 per gallon, the American Automobile Association reports that average prices remain high at $6.28.

International energy markets also reflect elevated pressures, with Brent crude trading above $103 a barrel, compared to roughly $73 per barrel prior to the conflict with Iran. It remains uncertain how significantly the Russian fuel volume will influence global prices.

Russia itself has grappled with domestic fuel shortages after Ukrainian drone operations struck several Russian refining facilities. Those strikes caused Russian diesel output to decline by an estimated 30 percent, according to the International Energy Agency. While Trump has previously blamed the strikes on refineries for exacerbating energy costs, Zelensky defended the actions as a direct response to sustained Russian assaults against Ukraine's domestic energy network.

The White House has not yet clarified what terms or compensation Washington is offering Moscow in exchange for the fuel release, according to BBC News.

The agreement marks Trump's latest measure aimed at addressing fuel expenses. The administration has previously pushed Group of Seven allies to tap strategic reserves for 100 million barrels of petroleum and diesel, authorized tax-exempt agricultural red dye diesel for road transit, and weighed a potential pause on the federal fuel excise tax.