Trump announces Russian diesel supply deal with Putin as Ukraine condemns it as a gift to Moscow

President Donald Trump announced on Friday, October 9, 2026, that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. Trump said Russia would release more than 300,000 tonnes immediately, another 500,000 tonnes in November, and one million tonnes after that. He added that a further three million tonnes could follow depending on the condition of Russian refineries.

The U.S. Treasury issued a temporary general license suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. Other restrictions, including those on frozen Russian assets, remain in place. Putin confirmed after the call that Russia was ready to supply oil and petroleum products to the U.S. and global markets. The Kremlin described the conversation as substantive and friendly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the deal. He called it a gift to Putin and an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. Zelensky said Ukrainian negotiators in Miami were used as a smokescreen while the agreement was reached. He warned that Russia would use the revenue for further attacks. Hours later, Russian strikes hit residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, killing at least 11 people including children. Zelensky linked the strikes to the easing of pressure.

The announcement came while Ukrainian and European negotiators were in Florida for talks with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. A U.S. official told Axios that Trump moved forward after Zelensky ignored multiple requests to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. Those strikes had reduced Russian diesel production by nearly 30 percent according to earlier International Energy Agency estimates and contributed to domestic shortages in Russia.

Trump said the deal would bring diesel prices down fast for American drivers, farmers, and truckers. Diesel prices have stayed elevated amid disruptions from the Iran conflict that began in February and from attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Russia had imposed its own export ban on diesel earlier in the year. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia was lifting restrictions and could begin additional supplies in October.

Peace talks on Ukraine showed no immediate progress. Russian aide Yuri Ushakov said there would be no quick resumption of negotiations. Trump later told reporters that Ukraine should get a new president because Zelensky had not made a deal. European allies backed Zelensky’s criticism. The temporary license runs until April 7, six months after Putin’s birthday on October 7.

The volumes announced total more than 4.8 million tonnes if all materialize. Ship-tracking data showed at least one tanker already loaded in St. Petersburg and headed for a U.S. port. Whether Russia can sustain the exports given ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries remains an open question for markets and for the duration of the war.