US President Donald Trump has announced plans to buy diesel from Russia after months of pressuring India to curb its purchases of Russian energy to limit Moscow’s funding for the war in Ukraine, The Times of India (TOI) reported.
According to the report, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and additional shipments later.
Trump said the move, alongside what he described as US control of the Strait of Hormuz, would bring down diesel prices in the US and globally. He also said lowering costs for American farmers, ranchers and truckers was a priority.
The announcement comes as high fuel prices put pressure on American consumers and threaten Republican prospects in the November 3 midterm elections.
Diesel prices reportedly reached a record $6.52 per gallon in September and were around $6.28 on Friday.
US eases restrictions on Russian fuel
Following Trump’s announcement, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary general licence allowing qualifying Russian diesel shipments to enter the global market. The sanctions relief extends until April 2027 for eligible cargoes loaded onto tankers by Friday.
The move comes weeks after Trump signed the Graham Act, legislation intended to tighten economic pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
The political implications are significant as the administration seeks to address rising living costs before voters head to the polls.
The decision has also drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said Washington risked rewarding Russia while Kyiv was trying to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance its invasion.
Zelenskyy also questioned the timing of the announcement, which came as Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were meeting Ukrainian and European officials in Miami to discuss proposals for ending the war. He said he would have supported easing energy sanctions if it had been part of a reciprocal arrangement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure during winter.
Republicans question move as India faces scrutiny
The announcement has also drawn criticism from some Republicans. Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon said lower diesel prices were important for American consumers but argued that buying Russian fuel was the wrong approach.
He said the US should use sanctions to pressure Putin rather than provide additional funds to Moscow while Russian forces continued targeting Ukrainian civilians.
For India, the decision highlights the contrast between Washington’s pressure on New Delhi over its purchases of Russian energy and its own move to facilitate Russian diesel supplies when domestic fuel costs rise.
India has faced US tariff threats and diplomatic pressure over its Russian energy imports.
Trump’s latest move could intensify questions about whether Washington’s approach to Russian energy is driven by a consistent policy or by its immediate economic and political priorities, the report said.
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