World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Trump defends temporary easing of sanctions on Russian diesel
US President Donald Trump is defending a temporary easing of sanctions that will allow Russian diesel to reach world markets.
He says the move will help American farmers and bring down high fuel prices.
The decision has drawn criticism from Republican and Democratic senators, who say it may breach a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports while Russia continues its war against Ukraine.
US envoys have also described the deal to Ukrainian representatives as a way to encourage Moscow to negotiate.
The plan covers more than 2.25 million barrels of diesel for the United States and global markets.
Ukrainian representatives were skeptical and viewed the deal as a concession to Russia.
Trump has said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wants a deal more than Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while also saying there have been violations of an energy ceasefire by both sides.
The sources do not say whether the temporary easing will lead to negotiations or how long it will remain in effect.
Donald Trump defended a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian fuels, saying it would help American farmers and lower high fuel prices.
The US announced the move on Friday, allowing Russia to supply diesel to world markets.
Republican and Democratic senators urged Trump on Sunday to reverse course, arguing the deal violates a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports while Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues.
US envoys reportedly told Ukrainian representatives the deal was intended to encourage Moscow to negotiate, while the Ukrainians viewed it as a concession to Russia.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump defended the temporary easing of sanctions on Russian fuels.
- What
- The US temporarily lifted sanctions to allow Russian diesel supplies to reach world markets. Senators from both parties called on Trump to reverse the decision.
- When
- Trump announced the move on Friday and defended it on Monday. Senators called for a change on Sunday.
- Where
- Trump spoke in Washington. US envoys reportedly discussed the deal with Ukrainian representatives in Miami.
- Why
- Trump said the deal would help American farmers and reduce high fuel prices. US envoys reportedly said it was intended to encourage Russia to negotiate.
Trump administration
Republican and Democratic senators
Purpose of the deal
Trump administration
Trump said it would help American farmers and lower fuel prices; US envoys reportedly said it could encourage Moscow to negotiate.
Republican and Democratic senators
Senators urged Trump to reverse course, arguing the deal violates a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports while Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues.
Effect on Ukraine
Trump administration
US envoys reportedly presented the deal as a way to move Russia toward talks.
Republican and Democratic senators
Ukrainian representatives reportedly viewed the deal as a concession to Russia.
Trump announced that the US government would temporarily lift sanctions on Russian fuels so Russia could supply diesel to world markets.
Republican and Democratic senators urged Trump to change course, citing a 2022 law that bans Russian energy imports while Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues.
Trump defended the arrangement in Washington, saying it would help American farmers and lower fuel prices.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly discussed the deal with Ukrainian representatives in Miami.
- Diesel supply
- More than 2.25 million barrels
- Sanctions change
- Temporary easing of sanctions on Russian fuels
- US law cited by senators
- 2022 law banning Russian energy imports while Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues
- US envoys
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
- Meeting location
- Miami
What people are saying
I believe that Putin is more interested than Zelensky in making a deal.
Well, I would have to look at that first, because there were violations on both sides.
Sources
Related news
Cyberattack heats fridges at hundreds of French supermarkets
14-year-old pupil detained after teachers shot at school in southern France
Fire destroys Paris’s 17th-century Marché des Enfants Rouges
Zelensky says Russian strikes violated Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire
Ukraine’s strikes on Yandex data centers disrupted services, but bot claims are unproven
Trump announces Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire as diesel deal draws criticism
NATO commander outlines response to a possible Russian attack
Germany detains two Turkish citizens over fire at Polish Starlink station
Ukraine drone strikes disrupt Yandex data centers in central Russia
Zelenskyy says Russia is still attacking Ukraine’s energy sites
Ukrainian strikes on three Yandex data centers disrupt services across Russia
