SCMP Economy49 minutes agoPolitics1 min readChina

Trump says US to get diesel from Russia in stunning bid to ease prices

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President Donald Trump announced a deal to obtain diesel from Russia, reversing years of US pressure on Moscow over Ukraine, citing plans for over 300,000 tons of immediate supply and additional volumes later, ahead of US midterm elections.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The US has imposed sanctions and pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including restrictions on energy trade. Trump's announcement marks a reversal of this policy.

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President Donald Trump said that he has struck a deal to obtain diesel from Russia, a stunning reversal of years of US pressure on Moscow over its war with Ukraine and an attempt to address high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.

Trump said on social media on Friday that he struck the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call in which he was expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia.

Instead, Trump announced that Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons (272,155 tonnes) of diesel, followed by 500,000 tons more in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter”.

Russia will deliver another 3 million tons “within a short period of time” after that, he said.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The Biden administration or Congress will challenge or reverse the diesel deal
Likely · Within weeks
Russia will use the deal as propaganda to show sanctions are ineffective
Very likely · Within days

Open Questions

What specific terms govern the diesel deal?
How will the deal affect existing US sanctions on Russia?
What is the timeline for delivery beyond the announced volumes?
How will European allies react to this development?

Trump says US to get diesel from Russia in stunning bid to ease prices

Quick Look

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The US has imposed sanctions and pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including restrictions on energy trade. Trump's announcement marks a reversal of this policy.

Font size

Trump said on social media on Friday that he struck the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call in which he was expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia.

Russia will deliver another 3 million tons “within a short period of time” after that, he said.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The Biden administration or Congress will challenge or reverse the diesel deal
Likely · Within weeks
Russia will use the deal as propaganda to show sanctions are ineffective
Very likely · Within days

Open Questions

What specific terms govern the diesel deal?
How will the deal affect existing US sanctions on Russia?
What is the timeline for delivery beyond the announced volumes?
How will European allies react to this development?

Trump says US to get diesel from Russia in stunning bid to ease prices

Quick Look

Why It Matters

What to Watch

Open Questions

Related Topics

Trump says US to get diesel from Russia in stunning bid to ease prices

Quick Look

Why It Matters

What to Watch

Open Questions

Related Topics

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