Trump eases Russia sanctions, says Putin will release diesel amid massive price spike

President Donald Trump announced a temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel fuel, stating that President Vladimir Putin would release hundreds of thousands of tons into the global market. The Treasury Department issued a general license authorizing the importation of Russian diesel through April 7, 2027, in an effort to combat high energy costs and inflation. While diesel futures fell 4% following the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move as a sign of weakness that financially supports Russia's war effort. The decision comes amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and upcoming peace negotiations.

President Donald Trump announced a temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel fuel, stating that President Vladimir Putin would release hundreds of thousands of tons into the global market. The Treasury Department issued a general license authorizing the importation of Russian diesel through April 7, 2027, in an effort to combat high energy costs and inflation. While diesel futures fell 4% following the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move as a sign of weakness that financially supports Russia's war effort. The decision comes amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and upcoming peace negotiations.