Trump says Russia will supply US with 300,000 tons of diesel as Washington eases sanctions; Zelenskyy calls it a "gift to Putin"
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.
DailyDrop Ireland edition No. 6 · Morning · SAT., OCT. 10, 2026