# Trump waives Russia sanctions to pressure end to Ukraine war

> The president's decision to allow Russian diesel imports is framed as leverage to force Moscow to the negotiating table, but critics say it rewards Putin.
- Title: Trump waives Russia sanctions to pressure end to Ukraine war
- Summary: The president's decision to allow Russian diesel imports is framed as leverage to force Moscow to the negotiating table, but critics say it rewards Putin…
- Keywords: donald trump, russia, ukraine war, sanctions, diesel imports, chris wright, vladimir putin, volodymyr zelenskyy, thom tillis, business, technology, Trump
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/trump-russia-sanctions-diesel-imports-ukraine-war-2026-10
- Author: Lauren Edmonds
- Published: 2026-10-18T18:37:58.946+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, russia, ukraine war, sanctions, diesel imports, chris wright, vladimir putin, volodymyr zelenskyy, thom tillis, business, technology
## Trump waives Russia sanctions on diesel
President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving new sanctions on Russia, other restrictions, and some duties on Russia last week.
## Russia to supply over three hundred thousand tons
In early October, Trump announced an agreement with President Vladimir Putin under which Russia would supply over three hundred thousand tons of diesel fuel to America and the global market.
## Energy Secretary: this pressures Russia to negotiate
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said waiving sanctions on diesel exports creates pressure on Russia. Russia cannot export additional diesel without reducing its war efforts with Ukraine.

> This is not going soft on Russia. This is an incentive to end the war.
## Trump: I don't want to drive Russia from the table
Trump wrote on Truth Social that he is negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine and does not want to do anything that will drive Russia away from the bargaining table.

> I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don't want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table.
## Zelenskyy and lawmakers condemn the move
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said waiving sanctions on Russia seems wrong to him. US lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle also criticized the move.
## Republican senator: capitulating to Putin
Republican Senator Thom Tillis called the move beyond irresponsible and unconscionable, saying the administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine.

> Beyond irresponsible. What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand?
## Key takeaway

President Trump waived sanctions on Russian diesel exports and agreed to import over three hundred thousand tons of fuel, arguing it pressures Russia to end its war with Ukraine.