US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to supply diesel to US and global markets, a move aimed at alleviating rising energy costs due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Trump stated on social media that “Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel” to international markets, with an additional 500,000 tons expected in November, following discussions with Putin.
The US Treasury Department also confirmed it is issuing a temporary licence to allow the entry of Russian diesel into global markets. However, the White House has not clarified who will cover the costs of this fuel or when the supplies will be available. There’s also uncertainty about whether the deliveries scheduled for next month will arrive before the 3 November midterm elections.
This announcement comes just a month after Trump enacted extensive sanctions against Russia, targeting its energy sector and industries contributing to its military efforts in Ukraine. The move raises questions about potential new sanctions from the White House, in line with bipartisan laws aimed at significant importers of Russian oil and gas.
Trump did not mention the sanctions or the war in Ukraine, focusing instead on his priority of reducing prices for American farmers, ranchers, and truckers. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the announcement, sharing the Treasury’s statement and expressing that “Russia-US cooperation on diesel and energy will benefit the world.”
