WASHINGTON — President Trump announced Friday that the US will buy large amounts of Russian diesel to address surging fuel costs — making a major foreign-policy pivot to ease costs just before the midterm elections.
“I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel.”
Trump on Sept. 18 signed the “Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” which takes effect on Oct. 19, imposing a 500% tariff on Russian goods and allowing secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian fuel.
Many of the provisions in that law can be waived by the president.
Trump has vacillated between tough economic penalties on Russia to halt continuing invasion of Ukraine and reprieves as the US war with Iran causes increased energy costs and inflation.
Trump imposed major oil sanctions against Russia last October, but issued waivers this year to account for the disruption of the Iran conflict.
