Trump Declares Energy Ceasefire and Waives Russian Diesel Sanctions

President Donald Trump announced a deal to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel fuel and declared an "ENERGY CEASEFIRE" between Russia and Ukraine. The agreement waives sanctions on Russian diesel sold to global markets until April 2027 in exchange for 300,000 metric tons of fuel. Trump stated the move aims to lower soaring fuel prices and noted that knocking down diesel refineries is not a great thing.

The deal has triggered a bipartisan revolt in the U.S. Senate. Twelve senators, split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, sent a letter urging Trump to rescind the agreement, calling it a gift to an adversary and a betrayal of allies. Senator Thom Tillis argued the deal may violate the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, while Senator John Barrasso defended the move as leverage to pressure Vladimir Putin toward a long-term settlement.

International reactions are mixed. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney supported the energy ceasefire's potential to protect civilians but rejected the diesel deal, arguing it finances Russia's war. In Canada, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for not proposing an increase in domestic diesel production as an alternative to Russian imports. Meanwhile, Trump has pressured Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries and suggested that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be replaced.