Trump says Russia will ship diesel to the U.S. after a Putin call. Zelensky calls it an “investment in war”
President Trump said Friday that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that Russia will release 300,000 tons of diesel immediately and millions more in the coming months, according to CBS, Reuters, NBC, NPR and The Washington Post. The New York Times noted that Russia has an ongoing ban on diesel exports. The Post said the volume is small compared with U.S. demand but puts the U.S. alongside Russia and against Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries. Reuters reported that Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, called letting Russia sell diesel to the U.S. an “investment in war,” and Politico reported he called the deal a “smokescreen.” The Kremlin said Putin downplayed an early resumption of Ukraine talks in the call, Reuters reported, while US, Ukrainian and European negotiators met in Miami. Livemint reported that the U.S. is temporarily easing sanctions; we did not see a Treasury notice.
The deal reverses years of U.S. pressure on Moscow, and it is aimed at diesel prices that the Japan Times says are near a record. It also strains ties with Ukraine and NATO allies, as The Guardian reported.
Diesel moves freight, farm work and many delivery costs, so it feeds into grocery and shipping prices. Reuters said earlier steps to raise supply have not yet lowered prices, and 300,000 tons is a small share of U.S. use, so do not expect relief at the pump soon.
Prices are hurting voters and businesses, and any added supply helps. The administration says the deal is about American costs.
Buying from Russia funds its war and rewards Putin without a ceasefire. Ukraine’s leader and Democrats such as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz called it a mistake or a sign of desperation.
Watch for the paperwork: a Treasury license or notice, the first cargoes, and whether Russia lifts its export ban in practice. Until a shipment arrives, this is a presidential announcement.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 6 · October 10, 2026