The short version
- Trump announced an agreement for Russia to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with more shipments planned.
- Seven senators from both parties condemned the deal as a violation of US law and a financial lifeline to Putin.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized the move as an investment in a war that must end.
US President Donald Trump has announced a controversial agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import diesel fuel, a move that has triggered immediate backlash from lawmakers and international allies. On Friday, Trump stated that Russia would release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately into the American and global markets. This initial shipment is part of a larger plan that includes 500,000 tonnes in November, one million tonnes subsequently, and potentially three million tonnes per month in the future, depending on refinery conditions.
The announcement comes despite Trump signing legislation just weeks prior that authorized fresh US sanctions and tariffs on nations importing Russian oil and gas. The apparent contradiction has raised legal questions about the enforceability of the deal. It is understood that the US Treasury Department is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7 as part of the arrangement, although other Russian assets held in American banks remain frozen.
Trump defended the decision by emphasizing the economic benefits for American consumers. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that lowering prices for farmers, ranchers, and truckers was his "greatest priority." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent supported the administration's stance, telling Fox News that the agreement would operate through existing legal channels designed to reduce fuel prices. He asserted that any claims in Congress suggesting otherwise were incorrect.
However, a bipartisan group of seven senators strongly opposed the deal. The group, comprising four Republicans and three Democrats, issued a statement urging Trump to "reverse course." They argued that the United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues its military campaign against Ukraine. The senators highlighted that Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing what they described as Putin's brutal war.
The lawmakers involved included Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, and John Curtis, alongside Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, and Ron Wyden. Their criticism underscores the deep divisions within the US political establishment regarding how to balance domestic economic concerns with foreign policy objectives related to the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded sharply to the announcement, calling the deal a "gift to Putin." He characterized the agreement as an investment in a war that must be ended, suggesting that importing Russian fuel undermines efforts to isolate Moscow economically. The timing of the deal has exacerbated diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Washington, particularly as global fuel prices have soared since the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the details of the agreement to Tass, the state-owned news agency. He stated that export volumes could reach three million tonnes per month in the future, contingent on the condition of Russian refineries. These facilities have been targeted by Ukrainian strikes, which have complicated Russia's ability to process and export fuel efficiently.
Not all political figures opposed the move. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who has frequently clashed with Trump on various issues, argued that the US should lift sanctions on all petroleum products. His stance reflects a broader debate within the Republican Party about the efficacy of sanctions and their impact on domestic energy costs.
The deal highlights the mounting pressure to curb fuel prices as midterm elections approach. Trump's administration appears to be prioritizing immediate economic relief for American consumers over long-term strategic goals related to isolating Russia. This shift has drawn criticism from Europe, which views the importation of Russian energy as counterproductive to the collective effort to weaken Moscow's war economy.
As the implementation of the deal proceeds, the legal and political challenges are likely to intensify. The suspension of sanctions by the Treasury Department may face scrutiny in courts or further legislative action. Meanwhile, the diplomatic row with Ukraine suggests that US foreign policy is entering a period of significant realignment, with potential long-term consequences for transatlantic relations.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Business↗Trump faces growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia
- WSJ↗Trump Strikes Deal With Putin for Russian Diesel
- BBC↗Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a 'gift to Putin'
