US opens Russian diesel exports after Putin call, Zelensky warns of war funding
President Donald Trump said Russia will send hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel to the United States and world markets, and the U.S. Treasury issued a temporary license to permit the shipments. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the move, arguing it would give Moscow more money for its war and undercut ongoing peace talks. A European diplomat said the decision was unlikely to change prices much but carried significant symbolic weight.
After a call with Putin, Trump announced Russian diesel shipments: more than 300,000 tons at once, 500,000 tons in November, and 1,000,000 tons afterward. Treasury's OFAC issued a temporary general license for global supply.
Zelensky called the step harmful, saying it gives Moscow war funds while Ukrainian negotiators met U.S. officials in Florida. A European diplomat said prices likely won't shift much, but symbolism matters. Moscow has not commented. Russia had extended its diesel export ban through Oct. 31.
If the license leads to more diesel reaching markets, U.S. and global consumers could see modest relief at the pump, though a diplomat suggested price effects may be limited. The move may also shape perceptions of Western unity and peace efforts, affecting Ukrainian civilians facing energy strikes and European policymakers weighing sanctions. Russian state revenue could rise, potentially influencing its war capacity, while businesses trading fuel may face legal and reputational uncertainty.