Trump Announces Temporary Waiver for Russian Diesel Exports After Putin Call

President Donald Trump said on 9 October 2026 that he reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel fuel to US and global markets. Trump stated that Russia would release more than 300,000 metric tonnes immediately, another 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes thereafter. A further three million tonnes could follow depending on the condition of Russian refineries damaged by Ukrainian strikes.

Minutes after the announcement, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary general licence allowing Russian diesel exports until 7 April 2027. Other Russian assets remain frozen. Putin confirmed in a Kremlin statement that Russia is ready to supply oil and petroleum products to American and global markets. The volumes are small relative to US diesel consumption of roughly 3.8 million barrels per day. The first tranche equals about 2.25 million barrels.

Trump has criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities, saying they raise fuel prices ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. US diesel prices had reached levels near $6.28 a gallon in some reports. Zelenskyy called the waiver a gift to Putin and an investment in a war that should end rather than continue. European allies expressed concern that the move undercuts pressure on Moscow. Trump later said it was time for Ukraine to elect a new leader.

The Treasury licence followed a phone call that the Kremlin described as highly successful. Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Putin, had previously sought licences for major Russian oil firms. Ship-tracking data showed at least one tanker loading Russian fuel for a possible US destination around the time of the discussions. Trump linked the diesel supply and US control of the Strait of Hormuz to expected price declines.

The waiver is temporary and limited to diesel. Broader sanctions on Russian energy and financial systems remain in place. Ukrainian officials said their negotiators had been used as a smokescreen. The announcement came two days before Trump’s claim of an energy ceasefire, which Kyiv said was violated by continued Russian strikes. Markets watched for any measurable effect on diesel prices, though analysts noted the initial volumes are unlikely to shift US pump prices substantially.

The decision reverses years of US efforts to limit Russian energy revenue after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It occurs while the EU prepared a large new sanctions package targeting Russia’s military industry. Whether further Russian diesel reaches markets will depend on the condition of refineries and the willingness of buyers to take the fuel under the temporary licence.