The United States has authorised transactions in Russian diesel until 7 April 2027, after President Donald Trump said on Friday he had agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin on diesel supplies to American and global markets.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons, followed by 500,000 tons in November and one million tons soon after. A further 3 million tons would depend on the condition of Russia’s refineries, he said.
The US Treasury Department announced the authorisation minutes after the call. Diesel prices have risen worldwide after Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries led Moscow to ban diesel exports, and Trump faces pressure to lower fuel prices before the November midterm elections.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the decision, warning that easing sanctions without a lasting agreement to de-escalate the war could weaken pressure on Russia.
Higher global diesel prices affect transport and food costs in import-dependent countries such as Sri Lanka.
