Russia has committed to immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the US and global markets for several months, announced American President Donald Trump on Friday.
„I have just concluded an extremely fruitful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, during which it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global markets, another 500,000 tons in November, and 1,000,000 tons immediately after that.
Additionally, depending on the condition of its refineries, Russia will then deliver, in a short period of time, 3,000,000 tons of diesel," Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.
The unusual initiative comes as diesel prices – used in agriculture, for heating homes, and in freight transport – are nearing record levels, shortly before the November 3rd Congressional elections, which will determine who controls the American legislature, reports Reuters.
Furthermore, the measure comes at a time when the US has imposed sanctions on Russian energy companies due to the war initiated by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022. On Friday, the Treasury Department issued a general license allowing the import of diesel from Russia until April 7th of next year.
Diesel prices – a factor that can fuel inflation – have risen by 70% since the beginning of the conflict between the US and Iran this year, despite two significant recent measures taken by Trump to increase the supply of this fuel:
- pressure on allies to release emergency reserves;
- expanding access to red-colored diesel (exempt from taxes), commonly used for agricultural machinery.
The announcement from the White House coincides with the resumption of negotiations in Florida between Americans and Ukrainians on Friday and Saturday, to which Europeans were also invited, regarding a resolution to the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to Trump's announcement.
"The gifts offered to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will 'respond' for the diesel received through new acts of terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products means investing in a war that needs to be ended, not prolonged. What is necessary is a real de-escalation of relations with Russia, based on reciprocity," Zelensky wrote on the X platform.
T.D.