Trump Lifts Russian Diesel Sanctions Amid Ukraine Conflict

President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 9, 2026, to import up to 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel into U.S. and global markets. The deal aims to lower fuel prices, which hit record highs due to a U.S. war with Iran and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. Under the terms, Russia will immediately supply 300,000 tons, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons shortly thereafter, with an additional 3 million tons conditional on refinery capacity.

To facilitate the shipments, the U.S. Treasury Department issued General License 135, lifting sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7, 2027. This policy reversal contradicts a Russia sanctions law Trump signed the previous month. The announcement coincided with a phone call between the two leaders, during which Putin stated that an immediate resumption of peace talks with Ukraine was unlikely, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the accord as a "gift to Putin" and an "investment in a war that must be ended," arguing that the revenue would fund further Russian aggression. He claimed Ukrainian negotiators in Miami were used as a "smokescreen" for the deal. Following the announcement, Russian forces launched glide bomb strikes on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, killing at least 15 people. Trump responded to the ongoing violence and refinery strikes by suggesting Ukraine needs a new leader who can "make a deal."

International reactions were critical, with the Government of the United Kingdom pledging to maintain its strict sanctions regime. U.S. lawmakers from both parties also criticized the move as a betrayal of Ukraine and a risk to national security.