Trump says Russia agreed to supply diesel as US Treasury temporarily eases sanctions
In short
US President Trump said on social media on 9 October that, after talks with Russian President Putin, Russia agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and international markets. The US Treasury said it would temporarily ease some sanctions on Russia to allow sales of Russian diesel until early April 2027. Japanese outlets linked the move to high fuel prices ahead of the 3 November US midterm elections.
Read the full story 2 min read
US President Trump said in a social media post on 9 October that, after talks with Russian President Putin, Russia had agreed to supply diesel to the US and international markets. According to Jiji Press, Yomiuri Shimbun and TBS NEWS DIG, Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes; Kyodo, carried by Tokyo Shimbun, quoted him as saying Russia would immediately supply 300,000 tonnes. Nikkei, Yomiuri and Kyodo said the two leaders spoke by phone, while Jiji said a phone call was believed to have taken place. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Trump said diesel prices for Americans and the world would fall at a record scale and rapidly, Jiji Press reported. TBS NEWS DIG quoted him as saying lowering prices for farmers, ranchers and truck drivers was the top priority. TBS also reported that Trump said Russia had agreed to supply a total of 1.5 million tonnes from November, and that a further 3 million tonnes would be supplied in a short period depending on refinery operations. [ 2 , 6 ]
Alongside Trump's post, the US Treasury said it would temporarily ease part of the sanctions on Russia to allow sales and exports of Russian diesel to the US and elsewhere for about six months, until early April 2027, Jiji Press reported. Kyodo reported that transactions including imports would be allowed until 00:01 on 7 April next year. According to TASS, cited by Jiji, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak said on 9 October that lifting of diesel export restrictions would begin immediately. [ 2 , 4 ]
The Kremlin said the talks focused on prospects for resolving the Ukraine crisis and also covered Iran and bilateral relations. It said Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to supply oil and oil products to the US and world markets, which Kyodo reported he said would have a positive impact on the world economy. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the two sides also agreed to continue personal contact between the presidents and cooperation between their administrations and intelligence agencies. Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on X that easing sanctions without a clear agreement on de-escalation was "a weak response", Kyodo reported. [ 4 , 6 ]
The US holds midterm elections on 3 November. Jiji Press reported that rising diesel prices, against the backdrop of a prolonged military operation against Iran, had been a headwind for the governing Republican Party, and Nikkei said the aim was to curb high energy prices before the vote. TBS NEWS DIG reported that diesel prices had surged after the Middle East situation worsened following the attack on Iran, hitting farmers and transport operators. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
Why it matters
Japanese business outlets reported that high diesel prices, which they linked to the conflict involving Iran and the Middle East, were a headwind for the governing Republican Party before the November midterms. The Treasury step loosens part of the sanctions on Russia for about six months, and Ukraine's President Zelensky criticised it.
Key facts
- Trump said on social media on 9 October that Russia agreed to supply diesel after he held talks with Putin. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and international markets. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- The US Treasury said it would temporarily ease sanctions to allow sales of Russian diesel for about six months, until early April 2027. [ 2 ]
- Kyodo reported that the Treasury will allow transactions in Russian diesel, including imports, until 00:01 on 7 April next year. [ 4 ]
- According to TBS NEWS DIG, Trump said Russia had also agreed to supply a total of 1.5 million tonnes from November, with a further 3 million tonnes possible in a short period depending on refinery operations. [ 6 ]
- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak said on 9 October that lifting of diesel export restrictions would begin immediately, according to TASS. [ 2 ]
- The Kremlin said the talks focused on prospects for the Ukraine issue and also covered Iran and bilateral relations. [ 4 , 6 ]
- Ukrainian President Zelensky criticised the sanctions easing on X as "a weak response". [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump said on social media that Russia agreed to supply diesel following talks with Putin. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- The talks were held by phone. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Trump said the immediate supply would be more than 300,000 tonnes. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- The US Treasury announced a temporary easing of sanctions on Russian diesel. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- The Kremlin said the talks focused on Ukraine and also covered Iran and bilateral relations, and that Russia is ready to supply oil and oil products to the US and world markets. [ 4 , 6 ]
- The US midterm elections are scheduled for 3 November. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Russia agreed to a further 1.5 million tonnes from November and a possible additional 3 million tonnes. Only TBS NEWS DIG reported these figures, citing Trump.
- Whether diesel prices will fall as Trump said. This is Trump's claim; the documents give no independent assessment.
- Exact size of the immediate supply. Most outlets report Trump as saying more than 300,000 tonnes, while Kyodo, via Tokyo Shimbun, quoted him as saying 300,000 tonnes.
- Russia's timetable for lifting diesel export restrictions. Only Jiji Press reported Novak's remarks, citing TASS.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nikkei reported Trump's announcement of a diesel supply agreement with Russia and the Treasury's temporary sanctions easing. [ 1 ]
- Jiji Press reported that Russia would supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel and that Treasury would allow Russian diesel sales until early April 2027. [ 2 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun carried Kyodo's report including the Kremlin's account and Zelensky's criticism. [ 4 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reported Trump's statements on further supply of 1.5 million and 3 million tonnes. [ 6 ]