Trump announces Russian diesel deal

President Donald Trump said he struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to obtain diesel from Russia in a phone call on Friday.

Massive fuel shipments planned

Russia will immediately supply more than three hundred thousand tons of diesel, followed by five hundred thousand tons in November and one million tons immediately thereafter.

Trump's stated priority

Trump said lower prices for Americans, especially farmers, ranchers and truckers, is his greatest priority. He did not address the sanctions or Russia's war.

“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority.”

Reversal of recent sanctions law

Trump's announcement comes after he signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law last month aimed at clamping down on Russia's energy economy that fuels its war against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy calls it a weak decision

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the deal allows Russia to kill more, wage war longer and inflict greater losses on the world.

“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.”

Democratic backlash

Rep. Don Beyer, senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, called Trump's announcement infuriating and said Trump is not trustworthy on Russia.

“This is what we warned anyone who would listen: Trump isn't the slightest bit trustworthy when it comes to Russia.”

Treasury eases diesel sanctions

The Treasury Department issued a temporary license allowing Russian diesel to be supplied to the global market. US sanctions will not apply until April two thousand twenty-seven.

Sanctions law faces uncertainty

The law Trump signed last month directed him to impose tariffs of up to one hundred percent on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas.