Trump announced Friday that Russia will supply the United States with 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by additional shipments of 500,000 tonnes in November, one million tonnes after that, and potentially three million tonnes monthly in the future. The Treasury Department is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7 as part of the arrangement.
The deal has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties. Seven senators, four Republicans and three Democrats, said the arrangement violates US law. The group, which includes Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis, along with Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden, urged Trump to reverse the decision. "The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians," they said. Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Russia's war against Ukraine, the senators noted.
Trump justified the move in a Truth Social post, writing "Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority." Global fuel prices have risen sharply since the Iran conflict began in late February, disrupting crude oil supplies. The average US diesel price currently stands at $6.28 per gallon, down from a record $6.53 in September.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin that amounts to "an investment in a war that must be ended." International figures including UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have also criticized the arrangement.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the agreement on Fox News, stating it operates through existing legal channels and dismissing congressional concerns as incorrect. Republican Thomas Massie supported lifting sanctions on all petroleum products.
Analysts question whether Russia can deliver promised volumes. The US consumes roughly 3.6 million barrels of diesel daily, meaning the initial 300,000-tonne shipment represents approximately half daily consumption. Some experts doubt whether the arrangement will meaningfully reduce prices for American consumers.