President Trump announced Friday that the United States will purchase large quantities of Russian diesel fuel, drawing furious criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The deal, brokered directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, commits Moscow to deliver over 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, another 500,000 tons during November, and 1,000,000 tons shortly after, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The former president detailed the arrangement in two posts, adding that Russia would eventually supply 3,000,000 additional tons depending on refinery conditions.
The Treasury Department paved the way for the transaction by issuing a general license allowing any company to buy or sell Russian diesel without facing U.S. Sanctions. Trump later expanded on the agreement while leaving the White House for a campaign rally in upstate New York.
“I want to thank President Putin, to be honest with you,” he told reporters. “We have massive amounts of oil coming into our country, and it’s diesel, which is what we want.”
Zelenskyy condemned the arrangement in multiple forums, calling it unworthy of American partnership. “It is certainly unworthy of our partners, and it is, in my view, a weak decision,” he told reporters.
In an interview, Zelenskyy sharpened his attack. “You know, it looks like a happy birthday present for Putin,” he said. “It looks absolutely terrible.”
The Ukrainian leader continued his criticism on X. “Peace never comes through weakness… Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world,” he wrote. “Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged.”
Trump bristled at Zelenskyy’s choice of words, initially ignoring a reporter who raised the criticism. When pressed by another journalist, he pushed back directly. “We are a strong partner,” he insisted. “We need oil for the world. And this is diesel, which is what we need. So we’re very happy to get it.”
The diesel purchase represents a dramatic reversal in Trump’s posture toward Russian energy. Last October, he imposed major oil sanctions against Russia. He then signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Sept. 18, which imposes a 500% tariff on Russian goods and allows secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian fuel when it takes effect Oct. 19. Many provisions in that law can be waived by the president.
Trump had previously criticized Zelenskyy for Ukrainian drone attacks on major Russian oil refineries, arguing those strikes drove up international fuel costs. Russia’s oil products remain its most lucrative export despite wartime disruptions.
The timing of the diesel deal carries significant political weight, with domestic fuel prices surging and the Nov. 3 midterm elections approaching. The arrangement could ease pump-price concerns for American consumers while simultaneously undercutting the sanctions regime Trump himself helped construct.
The announcement comes after Trump issued waivers this year to earlier Russian oil sanctions, citing economic disruption from the Iran conflict.