Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a gift to Putin

Image source, Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesByRachel Clun, Business reporter, Reporting fromNew York and Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentPublished9 October 2026Updated 3 hours agoPresident Donald Trump has announced a deal to import Russian diesel into the US, as he faces mounting pressure to bring down fuel prices.

Trump said Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately "to the American and global marketplace" followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another million after that.

The move on Friday sparked anger from Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelensky, who called it a gift to Putin that amounts to "an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged".

It is understood the US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April as part of the deal, but other assets like those in American banks are still frozen.

In his Truth Social post, Trump added that a further three million tonnes of Russian diesel would be delivered "within a short period", dependent on the condition of its refineries, which have been attacked by Ukraine.

Putin later said Russia, which introduced a ban on diesel exports earlier this year, was willing to supply both the US and global markets with oil and petroleum products, but his statement did not specify amounts.

Analysts, however, have questioned whether Russia is capable of providing that quantity of diesel and the extent to which doing so will ease prices for American consumers.

Tim Armitage, investment strategist at Quilter Cheviot, said the numbers mentioned by Trump were "relatively small".

He said the first tranche equated to approximately 2.25m barrels, and daily US consumption was around 3.8m barrels, "so it won't make a material difference to pump prices in the US".

"Granted, there are then two more releases to come, but it does appear to be a slightly desperate move by President Trump to try to lower inflation ahead of the midterms."

The BBC has asked the White House what Russia will get from the US in return for the commitment.

Meanwhile, the UK government spokesperson said its position "could not be clearer" and it would continue working with international partners to support Ukraine and bring about sustained peace.