Trump says US to import Russian diesel in deal with Putin before midterms

Trump notes US to import Russian diesel, reversing pressure on Moscow.

Key points

• Since returning to the White House for a second term, Trump has pinned equal blame on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin for the Russian-Ukraine war.
• The Treasury Department remarked it is temporarily lifting Russian oil sanctions through April 7, 2027, according to a notice posted by the administration.
• And global marketplaces with 300, 000 tons of diesel fuel "immediately" and an further 1 million tons in November.
• Lower rates for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority.
• The Biden administration banned Russian oil imports after Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump notes US to import Russian diesel, reversing pressure on Moscow. Joey Garrison, Miles J. Herszenhorn USA TODAY. Trump signs red dye diesel executive order at Nebraska rally.

For context, the executive order will allow unfettered access to red dye diesel. It is traditionally applied by the agriculture industry and off-road vehicles.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump remarked the United States will commence importing significant amounts of diesel fuel from Russia after an agreement reached with President Vladimir Putin, an extraordinary reversal of U.S. Policy that lifts sanctions on Moscow in a bid to lower fuel rates before the midterms.

"That is a big deal, " Trump remarked to journalists at the White House on Oct. 9. "I want to thank President Putin, to be honest with you. We have massive amounts of oil coming into our country and it's diesel. It is what we want."

Meanwhile, the move, confirmed less than one month before the Nov. 3 midterm election, comes as high fuel rates caused by the war in Iran pose major liabilities for Trump and Republicans as they try to hold onto power in Congress. The agreement upends years of U.S. Efforts to cut off Russian energy from the global markets after Putin's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

"We need oil for the world. This is diesel, which is what we need, " Trump remarked. "We're particularly happy to secure it. Oil rates are already dropping like a rock."

Trump remarked Russia will supply the U.S. And global marketplaces with 300, 000 tons of diesel fuel "immediately" and an further 1 million tons in November. He remarked Russia will then deliver 3 million tons of diesel fuel "within a short period of time, " though he suggested it will be based on the condition of Russian diesel refineries.

"Lower rates for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a particularly sizeable and significant announcement, " Trump remarked in an Oct. 9 post on Truth Social after what he described as a "highly successful discussion" with Putin.

More: What is red-dyed diesel, and will Trump's intends to lower costs work?

Meanwhile, the Treasury Department remarked it is temporarily lifting Russian oil sanctions through April 7, 2027, according to a notice posted by the administration.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin confirmed the accord with Trump, saying in an official note that the "Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to U.S. And global markets." Yet the full terms of the agreement were not immediately clear.

During their conversation, Putin informed Trump that he was "confident that this will have a positive impact on the global economy as a whole, " according to the Kremlin's readout of the call.

Some Democrats rapidly denounced the agreement, accusing Trump of striking a mutually beneficial agreement with Putin in a bid to boost Republicans at the ballot box.

"Trump is doing a deal with the devil to try to help his flailing political fortunes from the shockingly high diesel prices caused by his own reckless, illegal war in the Middle East, " remarked Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader. More: Senate overwhelmingly votes for Russia sanctions bill inspired by Graham. Will Russian accord result in lower diesel costs?

In practice, the stunning announcement comes just weeks after Trump signed a major Russia sanctions package ‒ legislation named after the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina ‒ that was meant to suffocate the Russian economy that is financing the country's war against Ukraine.

Notably, the average cost for a gallon of diesel fuel has shot up to $6.23 nationally against the backdrop of the U.S. War with Iran, presenting major challenges to farmers in the Midwest and states such as Alaska. It rely heavily on diesel for electricity and heating in remote areas. As well as Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, have become surprising battlegrounds in the midterms, deep red Alaska.

But energy experts expressed doubts that Trump's policy will significantly lower diesel costs before the November election.

Rebecca Babin, a senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth, remarked the agreement would mean 400, 000 barrels of Russian diesel fuel if delivered over three months, but it would depend on refinery availability.

"For the midterms, it could still be too little, too late: The smallest volumes arrive upfront, when relief is needed most, " Babin remarked.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for Gas Buddy, predicted that the agreement could result in a short-term reduction of 10 to 20 cents for a gallon of diesel. Nevertheless, he stated it will be "difficult to achieve" Trump's import goals.

"The psychological impact may reduce prices temporarily but it'll take more time to determine if Russia has such ability, " De Haan remarked in a post on X. More: Trump takes extraordinary steps to target midterms, alarming critics. 'Plays into Russia's hands, ' Zelenskyy tells Trump.

Notably, the accord gives Putin an economic lifeline as Russia's economy remains under significant strain against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

Since returning to the White House for a second term, Trump has pinned equal blame on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin for the Russian-Ukraine war. He's met in person with both leaders and communicates with them regularly, but has failed to reach a accord to end the almost five-year war. In recent weeks, Trump has complained to Zelenskyy regarding Ukrainian strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.

Zelenskyy, in an official note after Trump confirmed his agreement with Putin, slammed Trump's decision to lift sanctions.

"Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness, " Zeleneskyy remarked. "It plays into Russia's hands – allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world."

In practice, the Biden administration banned Russian oil imports after Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Trump administration temporarily eased those sanctions earlier this year after energy rates skyrocketed after the start of the U.S. War against Iran.

In practice, the agreement on Russian diesel could face solid opposition from allies in Europe, where countries have maintained sanctions on Russian oil imports despite enduring significantly higher fuel costs. The average cost of a gallon of diesel in the European Union was $9.12, according to data from the commission.

"We will continue working closely with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the military and financial support it needs to defend itself, " a spokesperson for the British administration stated. "We will also maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK."

In practice, the European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump's diesel accord with Putin adds to a series of unprecedented and extraordinary actions he has taken to try to boost Republicans' chances in the midterm election. It is increasingly showing signs of a sizable blue wave for Democrats.

Trump this year led a rare mid-decade redistricting push to create more Republican House seats. He's spent more than $12 million in administration funds to air pro-Trump television ads, issued $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks to almost 1 million Americans, and sent $90 apiece to 1 million seniors by diverting funds from a Medicare fund reserved for improvements to the program.

Trump has additionally not ruled out declaring a national emergency or invoking the Insurrection Act around the midterms. And in recent remarks, the president teased that he has "big surprises" in the coming weeks involving Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, and one of his closest top aides. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around trump says US to import Russian diesel in deal with Putin before point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.