WASHINGTON, October 10, 2026 — US President Donald Trump said he would allow Russian diesel into the US and global markets after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing sharp criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelensky called the move a gift to Putin, saying it allows Russia to sell petroleum products and potentially fund its war against Ukraine.

“Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment into a war that should be stopped, not prolonged,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

Trump said Russia would immediately ship over 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global markets with another 500,000 tons to come in November and another one million tons shortly after.

He also said Russia could ship another three million tons in a relatively short period of time, depending on the condition of the refineries.

The US Treasury Department later issued a temporary license, permitting some transactions involving Russian-origin diesel through 7 April 2027. The authorization eases some sanctions restrictions but does not unfreeze Russian government funds held in U.S. financial institutions.

Exactly how the deal will be commercially structured—for example, how the fuel will be bought and what Russia might get in return for selling its diesel—is unclear.

Zelenskyy warns of consequences for Ukraine.

Easing restrictions on Russian petroleum products could undermine efforts to limit Moscow’s revenue during the war, Zelensky said.

He urged Washington to continue its strong support for Ukraine and to pressure Russia to cease its attacks.

Ukraine has said it is hitting Russian oil refineries in retaliation for repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

“If Russia spares our energy infrastructure, then we will not burn Russian oil refineries,” Zelensky said. He repeated that Kyiv is ready to consider reciprocal steps to reduce attacks.

Russia has fuel shortages due to Ukraine’s drone attacks. The country also restricted diesel exports amid pressure on domestic supplies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Moscow is prepared to supply oil and petroleum products to the United States and the world market. However, he did not specify the volumes involved in his public statement.

The Russian presidential envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, welcomed the idea of further energy cooperation between Moscow and Washington.

Questions on the Impact of Fuel Price

The announcement comes as the Trump administration faces pressure to bring down US fuel prices amid disruption to global energy supplies linked to the war involving Iran.

The average US retail diesel price was $6.28 per gallon, down from a record $6.53 at the end of September, the source material said, citing the American Automobile Association (AAA).

But analysts have been skeptical that the extra Russian supplies will be enough to cause a significant price drop.

The first tranche would be about 2.25 million barrels, said Tim Armitage, an investment strategist at Quilter Cheviot. That volume would be less than one day’s consumption against the US daily diesel demand estimated in the source at about 3.8 million barrels.

Armitage said the first delivery is unlikely to make a material difference in the price at the American fuel pump. He also said the announcement could reflect the administration's efforts to ease inflationary pressure ahead of the November midterm elections.

The impact on prices will depend on how much fuel is actually delivered, when it hits the market, and whether the additional supply offsets wider disruptions to global trade.

US sanctions policy U-turn

The move represents a major shift in Washington’s stance on Russian energy exports. The United States has imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to limit revenue that could fund Moscow’s military campaign.

Allowing Russian diesel transactions could therefore invite criticism from U.S. lawmakers and allies who want to keep economic pressure on the Kremlin.

The UK government said it would continue working with international partners to provide military and financial support to Ukraine and maintain sanctions on Russia.

The government reiterated its support for efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The deal also follows other moves by Trump to cut fuel costs, including talks to suspend the federal gas tax for a limited time and allowing the use of certain tax-exempt red-dyed diesel fuel on public roads.

Trump has also backed the release of emergency oil supplies from G7 countries to ease fears over global supply.

Despite those measures, crude oil prices have stayed high. Brent crude was trading over $103 a barrel, compared to around $73 before the Iran tensions, the source material said.

Whether the Russian diesel arrangement will provide any meaningful relief to American consumers remains unclear. The announcement, however, has reopened questions about the balance between Washington’s domestic energy priorities and its commitment to limiting the resources available to Russia during the war in Ukraine.