President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to the US and global markets, a move Ukraine's president called 'absolutely terrible' and a 'gift to Putin'.
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Key facts
- Trump announced a deal with Putin for Russia to deliver millions of tonnes of diesel soon.
- US diesel prices have doubled since the war with Iran began in February, according to the BBC.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal 'absolutely terrible' and 'not fair and not honest'.
- The Guardian reports the move upends years of US and Western pressure on the Kremlin.
- Trump says the deal is essential to lower US fuel prices.
US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel to the United States and global markets, according to multiple news outlets. Al Jazeera reported that Russia is to deliver millions of tonnes of diesel soon, with the announcement following talks between the two leaders.
Trump framed the deal as a response to surging domestic fuel costs. According to the BBC, diesel prices in the US have doubled since the war with Iran began in February, placing political pressure on Republicans ahead of the midterms. The Guardian reported that Trump said the deal was essential to lower US fuel prices.
CNBC reported that the agreement would supply Russian diesel to both the US and global markets. The move marks a significant shift, with the Guardian describing it as upending years of US and Western pressure on the Kremlin to end its war against Ukraine, now in its fourth and a half year.
The announcement drew an immediate and angry response from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal ‘absolutely terrible’ and ‘not fair and not honest’, according to the Guardian. The BBC reported that Zelensky said allowing Russia to sell petroleum products would prolong a war that must be ended, with one headline describing the agreement as a ‘gift to Putin’.
The Guardian reported that the deal set Trump on a fresh collision course with Zelensky and European allies, and was likely to create a new crisis with Ukraine and Nato allies. The sources do not provide further detail on the deal’s timing, volumes beyond ‘millions of tonnes’, or pricing.
Why it matters
The deal signals a major shift in US policy toward Russia during its ongoing war in Ukraine, potentially straining relations with Kyiv and Nato allies. For American consumers, it is pitched as a way to bring down fuel costs that have doubled this year, making it a pressing economic and political issue ahead of the midterms.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Trump buying Russian diesel?
According to the Guardian, Trump said the deal is essential to lower US fuel prices. The BBC reports that US diesel prices have doubled since the war with Iran began in February, creating political pressure on Republicans ahead of the midterms.
How did Ukraine respond to the deal?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted furiously, calling the deal 'absolutely terrible' and 'not fair and not honest', according to the Guardian. He said allowing Russia to sell petroleum products would prolong the war, the BBC reported.
How much diesel will Russia supply?
Al Jazeera reported that Russia is to deliver millions of tonnes of diesel soon. The sources do not specify exact volumes, timing or pricing.
Timeline
- Trump’s deal with Putin will have little impact on US diesel prices, experts warn
The Guardian World: Analysts say fuel will take weeks to ship and is too small to affect prices, with the full deal unlikely to be met given damage to Russian refineries Zelenskyy rejects Trump claim of Ukraine-Russia ‘energy ceasefire’ Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin to temporarily lift san
- Trump’s deal with Putin will have little impact on US diesel prices, experts say
The Guardian World: Analysts say fuel will take weeks to ship and quantity is too small to affect prices, while full deal is unlikely to be met given damage to Russian refineries Trump announces partial ceasefire but Zelenskyy says deal is ‘news to me’ Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin to temp
- Ukraine hit by deadly Russian strikes as ‘thanks’ for Trump diesel deal, Zelenskyy says
The Guardian World: Ukrainian president says money from fuel sales will intensify war as European leaders reiterate support for Kyiv Russia launched deadly strikes on civilians in Ukraine as “thanks” for a deal cut by Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin to buy large quantities of Russian diesel, Volody
- Ukraine warns Trump-Putin diesel deal will bankroll Russia’s war
Al Jazeera: Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Putin gives Russia more money to continue attacking Ukraine, Zelenskyy says.
- Hours after Trump-Putin diesel deal, Ukraine strikes Russian fuel site
Al Jazeera: Ukraine bombed a Russian fuel site, hours after US President Trump and Russian President Putin announced a diesel deal.
- Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a gift to Putin
BBC World: Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged".
- Zelenskyy furious as Trump announces deal to buy Russian diesel
The Guardian World: President says deal essential to lower US fuel prices but move set to create fresh crisis with Ukraine and Nato allies US politics – live updates Donald Trump was on a fresh collision course with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European allies on Friday after a
- Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky criticises 'gift to Putin'
BBC World: Ukraine's president said allowing Russia to sell petroleum products would prolong a war that must be ended.
- Trump announces Russian diesel deal amid soaring US fuel prices
Al Jazeera: Russia to deliver millions of tonnes of diesel soon, US President Trump announces after talks with Putin.
- Trump announces deal with Putin to release Russian diesel
BBC World: Diesel prices in the US have doubled since the war with Iran began in February, putting pressure on Republicans ahead of the midterms.
- Trump strikes deal with Putin to supply Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets
CNBC Top News:
- Trump strikes deal with Putin for diesel – as Zelenskyy blasts 'weak decision'
Sky News: Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hit out at the "weak decision" by Donald Trump to strike a deal to obtain diesel from Russia, describing it as a "gift to Putin".