TRUMP-PUTIN ENERGY MEGA-DEAL - RUSSIA WILL SUPPLY THE US WITH 4.8 million TONS OF DIESEL - ''INVESTING IN THE WAR'' ZELENSKY ANGRILY DENOUNCES - Filenews 10/10
Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin to supply large quantities of Russian diesel to the American and international markets, arguing that deliveries will lead to a quick and significant reduction in prices.
The US president described his discussion with his Russian counterpart as "very successful" and presented a timetable for a gradual increase in supplies, linking the announcement to his priority for cheaper fuel.
The quantities and the timing
Donald Trump had a telephone conversation with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, on Friday afternoon.
According to a post on Truth Social, the US president announced that it was agreed to supply the US and world markets directly with more than 300.000 tons of diesel.
As Trump mentioned, Russia will supply an additional 500,000 tons in November and then 1,000,000 tons. At the same time, he added that, depending on the state of the country's diesel refineries, Russia will deliver another 3.000.000 tons of fuel within a short period of time.
Promise of cheaper fuel
Trump argued that the deal on Russian diesel, combined with what he described as "full control" of the Strait of Hormuz by the US, would depress prices.
"Diesel prices for Americans and, indeed, for the whole world will fall to record levels and rapidly," he wrote.
He made special reference to farmers, ranchers and truck drivers, stressing that reducing costs for Americans is the biggest priority
New message to Iran
Concluding his post, the US president reiterated his position on the Iranian nuclear program.
"It must be understood that Iran will not acquire a nuclear weapon," he said, without adding details on the issue.
For his part, the Russian president's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said through a post on platform X that "cooperation between Russia and the US in the field of diesel and energy will benefit the whole world".
Dmitriev also confirmed that "President Putin and President Trump just had a successful phone conversation."
Trump's surprise announcement comes just a month after he signed a law imposing sweeping sanctions against Russia, aimed, among other things, to limit revenues from its energy sector, which finances the war in Ukraine.
Trump made no mention of sanctions or Russia's war against Ukraine during his announcement, instead stressing that "lowering prices for Americans, especially for our country's great farmers, ranchers and truck drivers, is my highest priority."
Diesel prices have risen sharply internationally, as Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have caused fuel shortages in Russia, leading Moscow to impose restrictions on diesel exports. At the same time, Iran and its allies, the Houthis, have launched attacks against refineries in the Middle East, further limiting the supply of fuel.
Trump is facing growing political pressure to take steps to lower fuel prices ahead of November's midterm elections. Republicans are fighting close electoral battles even in traditionally conservative strongholds, such as Iowa, where farmers are particularly affected by high diesel prices.
The United States has not imported Russian oil or gas since 2022, when the Biden administration banned its imports following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Zelensky's angry reaction: "Gifts to Putin will not bring peace"
The agreement provoked the reaction of Volodymyr Zelensky, who estimated that Russia's ability to sell oil products to the United States would strengthen Moscow economically and make efforts to end the war in Ukraine difficult.
In a post on the X platform, the Ukrainian president directly criticized Washington's decision.
"Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world," he said.
He then warned that the strengthening of Russian revenues from the sale of energy products will have direct consequences for the development of the conflict.
"Russia will 'retaliate' for diesel with further terror and deceit. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. What is needed is real de-escalation with Russia, on a reciprocal basis," Zelensky said.
"Weak decision of strong partners"
The Ukrainian president returned to the issue by speaking to reporters, expressing concern that the agreement would provide Russia with additional revenue, which could be used to finance its military operations.
According to Zelensky, the decision is not limited to its economic and energy implications, but risks undermining diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement that will lead to an end to the war.
He even called the agreement between Washington and Moscow on diesel a "weak decision" by powerful partners, insisting that the international community should seek real de-escalation and not moves that, in his estimation, strengthen the Russian side.
Trump on Zelensky's criticisms: "We are a strong partner, we need oil for the whole world"
Donald Trump was also called upon to respond to Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of the US and Russia agreement on diesel, after the Ukrainian president said that it was a "weak decision", which would contribute to the prolongation of the war.
A journalist asked the US president to comment on Zelensky's position, with Trump defending the agreement, emphasizing the energy needs of the international market. "We are a strong partner. We need oil for the whole world. That is why we are very satisfied that we will be supplied with the diesel," he replied, without expanding on the Ukrainian president's claims that the agreement will strengthen Moscow economically and prolong the war.
