US Treasury Waives Sanctions on Russian Diesel; Zelensky Says White House Is Prolonging the War

According to NPR, US President Trump announced this week on Truth Social that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Putin: Russia would immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the US and global markets. Trump wrote in his post that diesel prices in the US and globally would fall "IN RECORD NUMBERS AND FAST," and specifically emphasized that farmers, ranchers, and truckers were his "top priority" group. These voters, disgruntled with the Republican Party over high diesel prices, could determine through their voting倾向 whether the GOP holds Congress in the midterm elections.

Just minutes after the announcement, the US Treasury Department issued a six-month waiver of restrictions on diesel trade with Russia. The US had formally imposed the relevant sanctions shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The statement released by the Kremlin was more general, merely saying Russia was ready to supply diesel to the US and global markets. But the atmosphere of the call itself was painted in more intimate terms by both sides. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov told media that the call lasted an hour and a half, the atmosphere was cordial, and Trump wished Putin, who was celebrating his 74th birthday that day, a happy birthday. "Nobody wanted to hang up the phone," Ushakov said, citing Trump as saying the US side was willing to continue talking that day, that evening, and any day thereafter.

Details of the deal have not been disclosed, and the actual price impact remains uncertain. Citing Russian industry analysts, NPR noted that Russia's contribution to global diesel demand in the short term is limited, and the deal is unlikely to immediately drive down US gas station retail prices as Trump promised. How the deal will reshape the US's overall Ukraine policy and sanctions framework toward Russia also remains unclear.

The sharper opposition came from Ukraine. Zelensky told reporters this week via voice message that the White House decision prolonged the war by replenishing Russia's war funding, allowing more money to be used to inflict suffering on Ukrainians. He added that this would only fuel Putin's ability to keep fighting.

The other side of the context: this summer, Russia experienced fuel shortages due to Ukraine's continued drone strikes on its domestic energy facilities, forcing it to impose its own diesel export ban. NPR reported that Trump has been pressuring Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv unilaterally stop striking Russian energy facilities, and has blamed US oil price increases on Ukraine's actions, although most experts consider Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to be the main cause. Zelensky rejected this demand, insisting that Moscow must take reciprocal action.

According to NPR analysis, the deal gives Trump more reason to pressure Kyiv to stop, while Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure—residential buildings, heating systems, power stations—continue. Ukraine's air defense forces have been worn down, and winter is approaching.