Fury in Ukraine and Washington as Trump makes deal with Putin
Donald Trump has bypassed his country’s own sanctions to make a massive oil deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump announced the US would import a substantial quantity of diesel from Russia.
President Donald Trump salutes during the singing of the national anthem at a Columbus Day celebration. AP Photo/Tom Brenner
"I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter," the president said on Truth Social.
"Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel. Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!"
Costly fuel prices are weighing heavily on Trump's approval rating a month before the midterm elections.
"Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement," Trump continued.
"Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon!"
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But the arrangement would only allow for less than a day's worth of supply on the US market.
The deal has been strongly criticised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is obvious weakness," Zelensky said.
"It plays into Russia's hands, into it killing more, fighting longer, respecting America even less, and inflicting even greater losses and damage on the world."
Zelensky said that peace was "never achieved through weakness".
"Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that needs to be ended, not prolonged," he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
Oil is by far Russia's largest export and sanctions against the industry have had a significant impact on the country's economy.
Trump was also strongly criticised by members of both parties in Washington.
"We need lower diesel prices for American farmers, ranchers and consumers, but buying Russian fuel is the wrong answer," Republican Representative Don Bacon said.
"I hope Ukraine continues to destroy Russia’s diesel production capacity.
"Now is the time to use those sanctions to squeeze Putin’s war machine, not reward a dictator by putting more money in his hands while he continues targeting and killing Ukrainian civilians."
Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil assets, including this Moscow refinery in June. Volodymyr Zelenskyy/X
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer also panned the deal.
"Trump is doing a deal with the devil to try to help his flailing political fortunes from the shockingly high diesel prices caused by his own reckless, illegal war in the Middle East," Schumer said.
"This filthy deal will only aid and abet the same Putin who is helping the Iranians to target and try to kill American troops in the Middle East and who illegally and viciously invaded our ally Ukraine."
Questions are also being raised about Russia's capacity to supply the diesel agreed to in the deal.
Ukraine has been systematically targeting Russian oil assets in an effort to cripple their economy.
Earlier today Zelensky posted videos of drones hitting an oil refinery in the Siberian city of Omsk, nearly 2000km from Ukraine.
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