Trump administration Russian diesel import deal and Ukraine backlash
The Trump administration announced an agreement to import Russian diesel fuel to the United States, with President Trump saying Russia had agreed to ship potentially large amounts in coming months to ease high US fuel prices. The move drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and created tensions with Kyiv and NATO allies, and Trump subsequently suggested Ukraine needs a new president who would agree to end the war.
Current state
The Trump administration announced a deal for Russia to supply diesel to the United States, drawing condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and prompting President Trump to say Ukraine needs a new president who would agree to end the war.
4 sources · 5 reports · Updated 10 Oct 2026
What changed
President Trump said Ukraine needs a new president who will agree to end the war.
Developments
- Key development
Trump said Ukraine needs a new president who will agree to end the war.
- Key development
Zelenskyy condemned the deal as a 'weak decision' and a 'gift to Putin'.
- Key development
Trump announced a deal with Putin under which Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to U.S. and global markets, with 1.5 million tonnes to follow.
- Earlier development
The United States had not imported Russian oil or gas since the Biden administration banned them in 2022 over Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Key development
The U.S. lifted sanctions on Russian diesel, enabling the imports.