TRUMP HAILS RUSSIA DIESEL DEAL AS US MIDTERM ELECTIONS LOOM
US President Donald Trump has announced a deal with Russia to release large quantities of diesel fuel to global markets, in a move aimed at easing rising energy costs ahead of the US midterm elections.
Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November, with further shipments expected in subsequent months.
The announcement followed a phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian government also confirmed its readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to international markets.
The deal marks a significant shift in Washington’s approach to Moscow, which has faced extensive Western sanctions since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Following Trump’s announcement, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary licence allowing certain Russian diesel shipments to reach global markets until April 2027.
Trump said the move was intended to lower fuel costs for American farmers, truckers and other consumers ahead of the November midterm elections.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the decision, describing it as weak and expressing concern about easing economic pressure on Russia while the war in Ukraine continues.
It remains unclear how much the additional diesel supply will reduce fuel prices, with energy analysts warning that the impact will depend on wider market conditions and the availability of supplies.
