Trump Russian diesel restrictions
US President Donald Trump has announced a temporary easing of restrictions on Russian diesel exports, saying he reached an understanding on supplies after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump also criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said Ukraine should have a new leader capable of reaching an agreement.
Under the plan described by Trump, 300,000 tonnes of diesel would be sent immediately to the United States and global markets. A further 500,000 tonnes is planned for November, followed later by 1 million tonnes. The US Treasury has granted temporary relief for Russian fuel supplies, which is expected to remain in place until April 2027. The measure does not remove all sanctions on Russia.
Trump announced the easing of restrictions on Russian fuel exports on 9 October. Zelenskyy criticised the decision to buy Russian diesel, calling it weak and incompetent. He said that giving Moscow the opportunity to sell petroleum products could allow Russia to invest the money in the war.
Responding to Zelenskyy’s criticism on 10 October, Trump said Ukraine needed a new president who could make a deal. He said Zelenskyy was unable to do so. Trump also said Ukraine had lost 30% of its country and that 2 million people had died.
Ukraine’s scheduled election in 2024 did not take place because martial law was in force, according to the fact sheet. Zelenskyy became Ukraine’s president in 2019.
On 11 October, Trump claimed that a ceasefire in the energy sector between Russia and Ukraine was taking effect quickly and that both countries had agreed to it. Zelenskyy rejected the claim, saying he was hearing about it for the first time.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would support measures aimed at reducing tensions, saving lives, ending the war and securing lasting peace, but not at the expense of the country’s interests.
Analysts say rising petrol and diesel prices in the United States have created public dissatisfaction with Trump and the Republican Party. With the US midterm election scheduled for 3 November, the decision may be intended to manage that pressure. India’s fuel security depends significantly on Russian oil, making the issue important for New Delhi as well.
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