Trump announced Friday that Russia would supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by shipments of 500,000 tonnes in November, one million tonnes afterward, and potentially three million tonnes per month in future. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed these figures to state news agency Tass.
The deal drew immediate bipartisan criticism. Seven senators, four Republicans and three Democrats, said Sunday the agreement violated US law. They cited Congress's 2022 explicit ban on Russian energy imports to prevent American dollars from financing Russia's war in Ukraine. The group included Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis, plus Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.
The dispute centers on Trump's recent legislation authorizing fresh sanctions on nations importing Russian oil and gas. The Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7 as part of the deal, though other Russian assets in American banks remain frozen. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News the agreement operated through existing legal channels.
Trump framed the deal as addressing fuel costs ahead of next month's midterms. He wrote on Truth Social that "Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority." Global diesel prices have surged since the US-Israel war with Iran began at the end of February, disrupting crude oil supplies. The average US diesel price now stands at $6.28 per gallon, down from a record $6.53 in late September, according to the AAA.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin amounting to "an investment in a war that must be ended." International criticism came from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, who urged allies to increase pressure on Russia to end the war instead.
Analysts questioned whether Russia can deliver promised volumes. The US consumes approximately 3.6 million barrels of diesel daily. The initial 300,000-tonne shipment would equal roughly half that daily consumption. Republican Thomas Massie supported lifting sanctions on all petroleum products. Trump announced Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had reached an "energy ceasefire" without providing details. Zelensky welcomed the announcement, but Moscow did not respond.