Trump says Putin agreed to supply Russian diesel as US Treasury eases sanctions
In short
President Donald Trump said on Friday that, after a discussion with Vladimir Putin, Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global market, another 500,000 tons in November and 1,000,000 tons thereafter. The Treasury Department said it was issuing a temporary general license allowing the supply of Russian diesel to the global market, authorized through April 7, 2027, according to NBC News.
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President Donald Trump said on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release diesel into the global market, as the administration seeks to bring down prices of the fuel. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter." He added that, based on the condition of its diesel refineries, Russia would then deliver 3,000,000 tons "within a short period of time." Axios reported that Trump wrote that, combined with oil coming out of the Strait of Hormuz, diesel prices would be "COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!" [ 3 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
The Treasury Department said on X: "Today, at President Trump's direction, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is immediately issuing a temporary general license to allow the supply of Russian diesel to the global market." According to NBC News, a document on the Treasury's website authorizes the sale, delivery, offloading or importation of Russian-origin diesel, including into the United States, through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 7, 2027. Axios described the announcement as including a waiver on some US energy sanctions against Russia. [ 5 , 9 , 11 ]
NBC News reported that diesel prices have risen almost 70% since the start of the Iran war in February and set repeated all-time records in recent weeks as the Russia-Ukraine war escalated. After Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy assets, the Kremlin imposed a diesel export ban in July and has extended it through the end of October. CNBC added that Iran and its Houthi allies have attacked refineries in the Middle East. [ 5 , 9 , 10 ]
CNBC reported that Trump faces growing political pressure to lower fuel prices before the November midterm elections, with farmers in states such as Iowa affected by high diesel prices. CNBC also reported that Trump considered a diesel export ban last month before relenting, and that he issued an executive order this week allowing truckers to use tax-exempt offroad diesel on highways. The New York Post described the deal as a major foreign-policy pivot and reported that the US will buy large amounts of Russian diesel; other outlets described the supply as going to the American and global marketplace. [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]
The New York Post reported that Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Sept. 18, which takes effect on Oct. 19, imposes a 500% tariff on Russian goods and allows secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian fuel, though many provisions can be waived by the president. NBC News noted that Trump temporarily eased Russia sanctions earlier this year to slow rising oil prices, which largely did not change their trajectory, and that European allies condemned that move, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying, "We think that's wrong." Axios reported that the announcement came as Ukrainian and European diplomats arrived in Miami for talks on ending the war with Russia. [ 5 , 8 , 11 ]
Why it matters
Business outlets reported that high diesel prices have fed inflation, hit farmers and become a significant issue before the November midterm elections. The move eases US sanctions on Russian fuel while Russia's war in Ukraine continues, and NBC News noted that an earlier temporary easing this year largely did not change the trajectory of prices.
Key facts
- Trump wrote on Truth Social that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global marketplace, another 500,000 tons in November and 1,000,000 tons immediately thereafter. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- Trump said Russia will then deliver 3,000,000 tons of diesel within a short period of time, based on the condition of its diesel refineries. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The Treasury Department said its Office of Foreign Assets Control was issuing a temporary general license to allow the supply of Russian diesel to the global market. [ 5 ]
- A Treasury document authorizes the sale, delivery, offloading or importation of Russian-origin diesel, including into the United States, through 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 7, 2027. [ 5 ]
- Russia imposed a diesel export ban in July after Ukrainian attacks on its energy assets and extended it through the end of October. [ 5 , 9 ]
- NBC News reported that diesel prices have risen almost 70% since the start of the Iran war in February. [ 5 ]
- Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Sept. 18; it takes effect on Oct. 19 and imposes a 500% tariff on Russian goods, the New York Post reported. [ 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump announced on Truth Social that Russia will supply over 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, 500,000 tons in November and 1,000,000 tons thereafter, followed by 3,000,000 tons. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The Treasury Department said it would ease sanctions to allow Russian diesel into the global market. [ 5 , 9 , 11 ]
- Russia had banned diesel exports after Ukrainian strikes on its refineries and energy assets. [ 5 , 9 , 10 ]
- High diesel prices have become an issue ahead of the November midterm elections. [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]
Still unclear
- Russia's own account of the agreement. All supply figures come from Trump's Truth Social post; the documents carry no statement from Moscow.
- Whether the United States itself will buy the diesel. The New York Post reported that the US will buy large amounts of Russian diesel, while other outlets describe supply to the American and global marketplace.
- When the 3,000,000 tons would be delivered. Trump tied that delivery to the condition of Russia's diesel refineries and gave no date.
- How the deal fits with Russia's export ban, which runs through the end of October. The documents do not say whether Russia has lifted or changed the ban.
- What effect the supply will have on prices. Trump said prices will come down fast, but NBC News reported that an earlier easing of Russia sanctions this year largely did not affect the trajectory of prices.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Bloomberg reports that Trump said Putin agreed to release diesel into the global market. [ 3 ]
- NBC News reports that the Treasury Department is easing sanctions on Russian diesel through April 7. [ 5 ]
- The New York Post publishes Trump's Truth Social post with the supply figures. [ 8 ]
- Axios reports that the announcement came as Ukrainian and European diplomats arrived in Miami for talks on ending the war. [ 11 ]
- The Hill updates its report on the announcement. [ 9 ]