Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky criticises 'gift to Putin'
Donald Trump has announced a deal to import Russian diesel into the US, a move criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as an investment in the ongoing war. Analysts remain skeptical about the volume of the deal and its potential impact on US fuel prices.
Why it matters
The deal highlights the complex intersection of international sanctions, energy policy, and geopolitical alliances during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Rachel Clun , Business reporter, New York and Anthony Zurcher , North America correspondent Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelensky has condemned Donald Trump's announcement of a deal to import Russian diesel into the US.
Zelensky called it a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin that amounts to "an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged".
Trump said Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately "to the American and global marketplace" followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another million after that.
It is understood the US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April as part of the deal, but other assets like those in American banks are still frozen.
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