# Trump's Russian diesel deal draws fire from both parties

> Donald Trump announces plans to import Russian diesel as fuel prices surge, but lawmakers say the deal violates US law and funds Putin's war.
- Title: Trump's Russian diesel deal draws fire from both parties
- Summary: Donald Trump announces plans to import Russian diesel as fuel prices surge, but lawmakers say the deal violates US law and funds Putin's war. Trump announced…
- Keywords: donald trump, russia, diesel imports, sanctions, iran war, fuel prices, ukraine, midterm elections, congress, news, world, Trump's
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjn5v21py07vo
- Published: 2026-10-11T23:18:45.375+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, russia, diesel imports, sanctions, iran war, fuel prices, ukraine, midterm elections, congress, news, world
## Trump announces Russian diesel deal
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to release three hundred thousand tonnes of diesel immediately to American and global markets.
## More shipments promised
Russia would supply five hundred thousand tonnes in November and one million more after that, followed by three million tonnes within a short period dependent on refinery conditions.
## Deal contradicts recent sanctions
Trump signed legislation authorising fresh US sanctions and tariffs on nations importing Russian oil and gas just weeks before announcing the diesel deal with Putin.
## Lawmakers say deal breaks law
Seven senators, four Republicans and three Democrats, said the deal violated US laws. Congress had explicitly banned Russian energy imports in two thousand twenty-two to prevent American dollars financing Putin's war.

> The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians.
## Zelensky calls it a gift to Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin that amounts to an investment in a war that must be ended.
## Fuel prices surge since Iran war
Global fuel prices have soared since the US-Israel war with Iran began at the end of February. The average US diesel price is currently six dollars and twenty-eight cents a gallon.
## Questions over supply impact
Analysts question whether Russia can deliver promised quantities. The US uses approximately three point six million barrels of diesel daily, so three hundred thousand tonnes amounts to roughly half daily consumption.
## International allies criticise deal
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the deal, saying allies should focus on pressuring Russia to end the war rather than supply it revenue.
## Key takeaway

Trump announced a deal to import Russian diesel to lower US fuel prices, but Republican and Democratic lawmakers say it violates sanctions laws passed in 2022.