In terms of domestic politics, US President Trump has long been struggling with high fuel prices - the pressure on him is particularly high before the congressional elections. Now Trump is announcing a deal with Putin.
After a conversation with Russian President Putin, US President Trump promised Russian diesel deliveries. (Archive photo) Photo: Mikhail Metzel/Pool Sputnik Kremlin/AP/dpa
Washington. After a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump promised hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel from Russia. Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had agreed with the Russian President that more than 300,000 tons of diesel would be made available “immediately” for the USA and the global market.
A further half a million tonnes of diesel should be released during November and a million tonnes “immediately afterwards”. “Depending on the condition of its diesel refineries,” Russia also wants to deliver three million tons of diesel within a short period of time. Trump did not initially specify the time periods.
US Treasury Department temporarily allows Russian diesel imports
Because of the existing sanctions against Russia, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary permit for this. This authorizes the sale, delivery, unloading and import of diesel from Russia until April 7, 2027.
However, a Russian ban on diesel exports is currently in effect until the end of the month. Last year, Russia's monthly diesel production was around seven million tons. Since then, capacities have roughly halved.
According to the US Energy Administration (EIA), consumption of diesel and other distillate fuels in the US currently averages around 3.77 million barrels per day. This corresponds to the equivalent of around 500,000 tonnes. A quantity of 300,000 tons would theoretically cover US consumption for a good 14 hours.
Deal with Russia instead of sanctions?
Trump's announcement is also causing an uproar because just last month the US President signed a law passed by Parliament that gives him extensive powers to impose new sanctions against Russia. In addition to direct punitive measures against Russian politicians and companies, the law aimed to further restrict Russian oil and gas exports, which Russia uses to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine. The step now announced by Trump goes in the opposite direction.
Increased fuel prices are putting pressure on Trump and Republicans
Trump is under pressure at home due to rising fuel prices ahead of the important midterm elections in less than a month. Republicans have also recently blamed the Iran war for the high prices with unusual clarity.
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Trump, in turn, has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a global diesel shortage in recent weeks and called on him to stop attacks on Russian refineries. “He has to stop crippling the diesel supply in Russia,” Trump told journalists around mid-September at his luxury resort in Doonbeg on the west coast of Ireland. The US President tried to distract from the effects of his war against Iran and the complicated situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“This is not because of the Middle East, but because of what is happening in Russia and Ukraine,” he said of the diesel shortage. The USA had already spoken to Zelensky about this. "There are plenty of other targets. He can't attack diesel plants because that will harm the whole world."
Especially at the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine more than four and a half years ago, the conflict drove up energy prices worldwide significantly. In recent months, Ukraine has increased its attacks on oil industry facilities in Russia. The consequences are clearly noticeable there.
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