Trump: Putin agreed to export diesel during a phone call

(CNN) - US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel fuel to the markets, as part of his efforts to reduce energy costs ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump added that Putin agreed to "immediately supply" more than 300,000 tons of diesel to global energy markets, with a promise to supply another 500,000 tons in November.

He explained that millions of additional tons of Russian diesel will be supplied following the first shipments "based on the condition of their diesel refineries."

Last month, Russia extended its ban on diesel exports, exacerbating pressures on energy costs.

Trump is working to find ways to reduce costs, including temporarily lifting restrictions on diesel for use in agricultural equipment.

During his call with Putin, Trump did not mention the death of a researcher in a laboratory specializing in plague, the causes of which remain unexplained.

Instead, he focused exclusively on diesel supplies, which Republicans are concerned about, since higher energy prices drive up other costs.

Trump wrote: “Thanks to our complete control of the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to this important announcement regarding Russian energy, diesel prices for Americans, and indeed the entire world, will fall at record rates and quickly!”