# Trump strikes diesel deal with Russia before midterms

> President Trump announces a major fuel supply agreement with Moscow, reversing years of U.S. pressure over Ukraine and drawing swift criticism from Kyiv.
- Title: Trump strikes diesel deal with Russia before midterms · NPR
- Summary: President Trump announces a major fuel supply agreement with Moscow, reversing years of U.S. pressure over Ukraine and drawing swift criticism from Kyiv…
- Keywords: donald trump, vladimir putin, russia, ukraine, diesel fuel, sanctions, midterm elections, volodymyr zelenskyy, energy prices, politics, news, Trump
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/10/09/nx-s1-5996912/trump-says-u-s-to-get-diesel-from-russia-relaxing-pressure-on-moscow-to-ease-prices-before-midterms
- Published: 2026-10-09T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: donald trump, vladimir putin, russia, ukraine, diesel fuel, sanctions, midterm elections, volodymyr zelenskyy, energy prices, politics, news
## Trump announces Russian diesel deal
President Donald Trump said he struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to obtain diesel, a reversal of years of U.S. pressure over Moscow's war with Ukraine.
## 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.
## More deliveries to follow
Russia will deliver an additional three million tons within a short period of time after the initial shipments, according to Trump's announcement on social media.
## Trump's stated priority
Trump said lower prices for Americans, especially farmers, ranchers and truckers, is his greatest priority, without addressing the sanctions or Russia's war.

> Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority.
## Zelenskyy calls it a weak decision
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the deal was a weak decision by strong partners, calling it a smokescreen for peace negotiations his team was conducting.

> a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners
## Zelenskyy warns of consequences
Zelenskyy said Russia would repay the deal with further terror and perfidy, allowing it 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.
## Democrats call it infuriating
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, the first such license lasting longer than thirty days since Ukraine war began.
## Sanctions waived until April 2027
U.S. sanctions will not apply until April twenty twenty-seven on deliveries of Russian diesel loaded onto tankers as of Friday, according to the Treasury Department's general license.
## Russia lifts export restrictions
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia is immediately lifting restrictions on diesel exports ahead of schedule and could start supplies to the U.S. already in October.
## Diesel prices remain elevated
The national average price per gallon of diesel in the U.S. was six dollars and twenty three cents according to AAA, after hitting a record six dollars and fifty two cents on September twenty second.
## Key takeaway

Trump announced a diesel supply deal with Russia to lower fuel prices before midterm elections, reversing U.S. sanctions pressure and drawing condemnation from Ukraine.