FILE PHOTO : A bustling urban gas station at night with bright lights and traffic

Trump Says Russia Will Supply Diesel as US Fuel Prices Rise

WASHINGTON — October 9, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia has agreed to supply diesel to the United States and international markets, as high fuel costs put pressure on American consumers and businesses ahead of the November 3 congressional elections. The U.S. Treasury Department has temporarily authorized imports of Russian diesel, easing restrictions that were introduced over Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

Trump said the initial shipment would exceed 300,000 metric tons, equivalent to about 2.25 million barrels of fuel. He also announced plans for additional supplies in the coming months, although energy analysts warned that the agreement might not significantly reduce diesel prices for long.

Diesel is widely used by trucks, farms and heating systems, making its price important to transport costs, food production and household expenses. Average U.S. diesel prices reached $6.28 per gallon on Thursday, according to the American Automobile Association, while diesel futures fell after news of the agreement.

U.S. diesel futures dropped nearly 5% following the announcement and were trading at $4.64 per gallon. However, analysts cautioned that the market reaction did not necessarily mean drivers, farmers and transport companies would see lasting reductions in the prices they pay.

The agreement could also bring additional revenue to Russia. The United States imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies in October 2025 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. Allowing Russian diesel into the U.S. market could weaken some of the financial pressure those measures were intended to place on Moscow.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a license permitting imports of Russian diesel through April 7. Trump said Russia would provide another 500,000 metric tons in November, followed by 1 million tons soon afterward. He added that further deliveries would depend on the condition of Russian refineries, some of which have been damaged by Ukrainian attacks.

Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, welcomed cooperation between Washington and Moscow in a social media post following the leaders’ discussion. During a visit to Washington the previous month, Dmitriev had sought permission for major Russian oil companies to export diesel to the American market, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The announcement drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose delegation was in the United States for discussions on ending the war. Zelensky argued that easing restrictions on Russian fuel would not help bring peace and warned that the additional revenue could support further Russian attacks.

Some U.S. lawmakers also opposed the move. Republican Representative Don Bacon called for stronger enforcement of sanctions passed by Congress, arguing that Russia should face greater financial pressure rather than receive new opportunities to earn money while the war continues.

Energy analysts said the proposed deliveries were unlikely to resolve the wider diesel shortage. Rory Johnston, an oil market researcher, argued that the announced quantities were limited compared with Russia’s normal diesel exports when its refineries are operating without major disruption. Jim Mitchell, an analyst at Wood Mackenzie, said the shipments could provide some additional supply but would not solve the market’s broader problems.

Diesel prices have risen sharply since the United States and Israel began their war with Iran on February 28, according to the article. The conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine have disrupted fuel supplies and contributed to pressure on global energy markets. Higher diesel costs can also feed into inflation because businesses often pass increased transport and production expenses on to consumers.

The Trump administration has already taken other steps to increase available supplies, including urging allies to release emergency fuel reserves and expanding access to tax-exempt red-dyed diesel, which is generally used in agricultural equipment.

Separately, three industry sources said the president was expected to issue a directive to some federal department heads in the coming days to explore ways to control diesel prices. The measure could involve reducing regulatory barriers to energy production and using the Defense Production Act, a law that gives the president powers to support the production of goods considered essential to national needs.

The law allows the government to support domestic manufacturing through loans or loan guarantees and to require companies to give priority to certain government contracts. The White House has been considering whether these powers could help expand U.S. refining capacity as the war with Iran exposes the country to fuel supply disruptions and price increases.

Refining industry executives told administration officials in September that improving existing facilities or expanding current plants would likely be more practical than building new refineries, which would require greater investment and take years to complete.

The Russian diesel agreement offers the United States another potential source of fuel, but its effect on prices remains uncertain. With fuel costs high and the midterm elections approaching, the administration faces pressure to increase supply while balancing domestic economic concerns against the financial impact of easing restrictions on Russia.