US-Russia diesel deal receives a range of reactions

President Donald Trump’s plan to bring Russian diesel into US and global markets to curb fuel prices sparked a wave of reactions, with some questioning the move and others, including the European Union, denouncing the deal.

Trump said Friday that millions of tons of Russian diesel would hit the market within weeks, following a “successful discussion” with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, according to a post on Truth Social.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the deal, and the American president fired back, suggesting Ukraine should choose a new leader willing to make peace with Putin.

The Trump administration also threatened to halt US weapons supplies to Ukraine if it doesn’t stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, according to European officials.

Trump is trying to lower diesel prices ahead of the November midterms, as the national diesel price averaged $6.28 per gallon last week. Diesel prices have jumped 68% since the Iran war broke out on February 28, according to AAA. Trump, meanwhile, pointed to Ukraine’s missile strikes on Russian fuel facilities as a cause of the price increases.

However, experts doubt whether Russian supply can move fuel prices, since it is insufficient. Critics note the volume reflects just 0.03% of global consumption.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have already wiped out 1% of Russia’s GDP and created a fuel crisis.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, President Trump claimed on Truth Social that an immediate “ENERGY CEASEFIRE” between Russia and Ukraine had been established. However, Ukrainian officials stated they were unaware of any signed deal.