US announces diesel deal with Russia amid tensions with Ukraine

US President Donald Trump announced on October 10, 2026, an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the immediate supply of Russian diesel to the US and global markets. Trump stated that reducing fuel prices for Americans is a priority, noting that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries have negatively impacted global supply chains and harmed US agricultural sectors. Following the announcement, Trump called for a leadership change in Ukraine, criticizing President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for his opposition to the deal.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy strongly condemned the accord, describing it as an investment in Russia’s ongoing war effort and a betrayal by a strong partner. He linked the lifting of sanctions on Russian diesel to a subsequent Russian missile strike on Zaporizhzhia, which resulted in the deaths of 20 people, including 3 children. Zelenskiy argued that providing funds to Moscow would only prolong the conflict and embolden further aggression.

The tension emerges ahead of upcoming US midterm elections, where rising energy costs present a political challenge for the Republican Party. While the US administration views the deal as a necessary step to stabilize domestic energy prices, the Ukrainian government maintains that such cooperation with Moscow undermines global efforts to de-escalate the conflict.