Trump unveils Russian diesel import deal as Zelensky condemns move as aid to Putin

US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement to bring Russian diesel into the United States, as he comes under growing pressure over high fuel prices at home.

Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately onto the American and global market, with a further 500,000 tonnes to follow in November and an additional one million tonnes after that. He said in a Truth Social post that another three million tonnes would be delivered within a short period, though this would depend on the state of Russian refineries, which have faced Ukrainian attacks.

The announcement, made on Friday, drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described the arrangement as effectively benefiting Putin and said it amounted to funding a war that should be brought to an end rather than extended.

It is understood that the US Treasury will suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April under the terms of the deal, although other Russian assets, including those held in American banks, will remain frozen.

Putin later said Russia, which had earlier this year imposed a ban on diesel exports, was prepared to supply both the US and international markets with oil and petroleum products, though he did not give specific volumes.

Analysts have raised doubts over whether Russia has the capacity to deliver diesel in the quantities described, and whether such supplies would meaningfully reduce fuel prices for American consumers.