Washington, 10 October (H.S.): US President Donald Trump has announced that Russia has agreed to supply millions of tonnes of diesel fuel to the global market over the coming months in an effort to bring down surging prices.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday evening, Trump said he had just spoken by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had agreed to release more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately. He added that a further 500,000 tonnes would be supplied in November, followed by one million tonnes in December.

According to CBS News, Trump said, “Additionally, based on the condition of their diesel refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 tonnes of diesel fuel.”

Separately, the US Treasury Department announced on Friday that it would temporarily ease sanctions restrictions affecting Russia’s energy sector to allow Russian diesel supplies to reach the global market.

In a statement issued later on Friday, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin had spoken with Trump by telephone. According to the statement, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to the US and international markets, expressing confidence that such supplies would have a positive impact on the global economy.

The Kremlin statement added that the two leaders had agreed to maintain direct personal contact, along with continued cooperation between their respective presidential administrations, intelligence services and other agencies.

The statement said their conversation covered prospects for resolving the Ukraine crisis, the situation involving Iran and various aspects of bilateral relations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticised the proposed arrangement in a social media post, arguing that any relaxation of sanctions against Russia would be a sign of weakness.

“Gifts to Putin will bring no benefit to the civilised world. Russia will repay them with more terror and treachery. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be brought to an end, not prolonged. What is needed is de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis,” Zelenskyy said.

The Trump administration’s move marks a reversal of the stringent restrictions imposed on Russia’s economy following Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Last month, Trump signed legislation aimed at making it more difficult for Russia to profit from oil and gas exports by imposing steep tariffs on some of the country’s largest energy buyers.

The latest announcement has therefore drawn attention to a significant shift in Washington’s approach to Russian energy supplies, as the administration seeks to ease pressure on fuel prices through increased access to diesel in international markets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar