MOSCOW — The United States will begin importing Russian diesel fuel following discussions between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.
Trump said Putin agreed to "immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the U.S. and global markets, with more to follow." Trump characterized the talks as "highly successful" and said the move would reduce diesel prices for Americans and global consumers.
"Diesel prices for Americans and for the rest of the world would be coming down — in record numbers and fast," Trump said. He cited farmers, ranchers and truckers as priority beneficiaries of lower fuel costs.
Minutes after Trump's announcement, the Treasury Department issued a six-month waiver lifting trade restrictions on Russian diesel. The U.S. had sanctioned Russian diesel in February 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to limit Moscow's revenue.
The agreement requires Russia to lift its own diesel export ban, which the Kremlin had imposed in summer in response to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure that had caused domestic fuel shortages. Those shortages have eased.
The Kremlin issued a statement indicating readiness to supply diesel to U.S. and global markets but did not specify tonnage. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump wished Putin a happy birthday during their call.
