After a call with Putin, Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the US, with 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons after that (ITV News, The National, NPR member stations, Kurs, Liga.net). A US Treasury general licence allows Russian-origin diesel into the US until April 2027. Zelenskyy said the easing was a "gift to Putin" and "a weak decision by strong partners". The deliveries had not been confirmed, and some volumes were conditional. The move came as Witkoff and Kushner met Ukrainian officials.
Diesel prices are high because of the Iran conflict. Buying from Russia would ease them but weaken the sanctions pressure Europe and Ukraine have relied on, and it may split Western allies.
Ireland and the EU are not part of the US licence. Irish diesel prices could benefit only if global prices fall; the effect is not immediate.
The White House says the move will lower fuel costs for American households.
Ukraine and critics say it rewards Russia during the war and weakens sanctions.
Nothing has been delivered yet, so the claim is a statement of intent. Watch for confirmation of the first cargo, and for the EU's reaction.
ITV News, The National, NPR member stations, Kurs, Liga.net (9 Oct 2026)
Trump says Russia will supply US with 300,000 tons of diesel as Washington eases sanctions; Zelenskyy calls it a "gift to Putin"
A US licence allows Russian diesel into the country until April 2027. Ukraine's president condemned the move, and delivery has not been confirmed.
President Donald Trump announced on Friday, after a call with Vladimir Putin, that Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, according to ITV News, The National, NPR member station reports, Kurs and Liga.net. He said a further 500,000 tons would follow in November, then 1 million tons, and later 3 million. Some of the volumes are conditional, and the reports say implementation has not been confirmed. The US Treasury's sanctions office issued a general licence allowing Russian-origin diesel to be sold, delivered and imported into the US until April 2027, according to the same reports.
Trump framed it as a way to cut fuel prices before the US midterm elections. Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the move, calling it a "gift to Putin" and "a weak decision by strong partners", according to ITV News and Kurs. The announcement came as US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were meeting Ukrainian officials about ending the war. The reports say it casts doubt on new US sanctions on Russian oil. WTI closed at US$91.85, up 0.39%.