Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky criticises 'gift to Putin'

President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel into the global and U.S. markets. The deal involves the immediate release of 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and 1,000,000 tonnes thereafter, with a total goal of 3,000,000 tonnes. The U.S. Treasury has issued a temporary license to facilitate this. The announcement comes as diesel prices hover around $6.28 a gallon amid the ongoing war in Iran, putting political pressure on the administration ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. While the Kremlin welcomed the deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized it as a 'gift' to Putin that could prolong the war in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel into the global and U.S. markets. The deal involves the immediate release of 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and 1,000,000 tonnes thereafter, with a total goal of 3,000,000 tonnes. The U.S. Treasury has issued a temporary license to facilitate this. The announcement comes as diesel prices hover around $6.28 a gallon amid the ongoing war in Iran, putting political pressure on the administration ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. While the Kremlin welcomed the deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized it as a 'gift' to Putin that could prolong the war in Ukraine.