Trump's diesel deal with Putin angers Ukraine; GOP Senate hopes in focus

Former President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply millions of tons of diesel fuel to the American and global markets, aiming to alleviate rising U.S. fuel prices ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Trump stated that an initial 300,000 tons would be supplied immediately, followed by 500,000 tons in November and an additional 1 million tons thereafter, with a potential for 3 million more tons depending on Russian refinery conditions. He emphasized that lowering fuel costs for American consumers, particularly farmers, ranchers, and truck drivers, was his top priority.

The announcement was accompanied by a temporary waiver of U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel by the Treasury Department, allowing imports until April 7, 2027. This move marks a significant reversal of U.S. policy, which had previously banned Russian oil and gas imports since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed the discussion between Trump and Putin, with Russia expressing its readiness to supply petroleum products to global markets, anticipating a positive impact on the world economy.

However, the deal quickly drew sharp criticism from various fronts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the agreement as an "obvious weakness" and a "gift to Putin," arguing that easing sanctions without a de-escalation deal would merely finance Russia's ongoing war efforts and prolong the conflict. U.S. lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties also expressed concerns, suggesting the agreement would bolster Russia's war economy while providing only limited relief to American consumers, given the relatively small volumes compared to U.S. demand. Critics highlighted that this decision effectively aligns Washington with Moscow against Ukraine's attempts to target Russian energy infrastructure.