World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 days ago
Australia says it will not buy Russian fuel after Trump’s diesel deal
US President Donald Trump says Russia will supply diesel to US and global markets under a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The move comes as fuel prices rise amid conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
Australia’s energy minister, Chris Bowen, said Australia does not need or want Russian fuel and will keep its existing restrictions in place.
He said Australia does not want Russia to benefit from its invasion of Ukraine.
Bowen reported that Australia had 43 days of petrol and 31 days of diesel in reserve.
He also said 51 fuel ships were heading to Australia and fuel deliveries had been contracted for the next four weeks.
Australia plans to keep working with trading partners and domestic refiners to maintain supplies.
US President Donald Trump said the United States had agreed with Russia to receive diesel for US and global markets.
Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and further deliveries later.
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia did not need or want Russian fuel and would keep arrangements in place to prevent it from reaching the country.
Bowen said Russia should not be rewarded for its invasion of Ukraine, while noting that decisions on US policy were for the United States to make.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the deal, saying it could help Russia continue its war.
Australia reported 43 days of petrol and 31 days of diesel reserves, with 51 fuel ships on the way and 3.2 billion litres contracted for delivery over four weeks.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin; Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- What
- Trump said Russia had agreed to supply diesel to the United States and global markets; Australia said it would not buy Russian fuel.
- When
- Trump announced the deal on Saturday, October 10, Australian time; the articles were published October 9 and 10, 2026.
- Where
- The deal concerns fuel for US and global markets; Bowen made his remarks in Australia.
- Why
- The deal comes amid high US diesel prices and fuel-supply pressures; Australia says it does not want Russia to benefit from its invasion of Ukraine.
Donald Trump and the US
Ukraine and Australia
Russian diesel deal
Donald Trump and the US
Trump said the agreement would bring Russian diesel to US and global markets.
Ukraine and Australia
Zelenskyy criticised the agreement, saying it could help Russia wage war for longer. Bowen said Australia would not buy Russian fuel.
Russia's benefit from the war
Donald Trump and the US
Trump presented the deal as a way to increase fuel supplies amid high US diesel prices.
Ukraine and Australia
Bowen said Russia should not be rewarded for its invasion of Ukraine; Zelenskyy said the deal played into Russia's hands.
The US Treasury Department issued a general licence allowing Russian diesel imports until April 7.
Trump announced that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to US and global markets.
Bowen said Australia would maintain arrangements to keep Russian fuel out and gave an update on national fuel reserves.
Trump said Russia would supply a further 500,000 tonnes of diesel.
The US midterm elections are scheduled; the article said it was unclear whether later diesel deliveries would arrive before them.
- Immediate Russian diesel supply announced by Trump
- More than 300,000 metric tonnes
- Further supply Trump said was planned for November
- 500,000 tonnes
- Australia's reported petrol reserves
- 43 days
- Australia's reported diesel reserves
- 31 days
- Fuel shipments on the way to Australia
- 51 ships
- Australian fuel contracted for delivery over four weeks
- 3.2 billion litres
What people are saying
We don’t need or want Russian fuel in Australia.
Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world.
I cannot overstate how much of a nothing burger this is,
It's clearly not a fix, but another stream to aid a very tight diesel market,
Sources
Australia says it won’t buy Russian fuel despite Trump’s diesel agreement
Australia Says Doesn’t Need Russian Fuel After Trump Diesel Move
Australia does not ‘need or want Russian fuel’, Chris Bowen says, after Trump deal to buy diesel from Putin
Trump strikes deal with Putin for Russia to supply diesel to US
Related news
Trump says he may meet Kim Jong-un during upcoming Asia trip
North Korea says it tested a tactical ballistic missile
Bedbugs force Qantas Rome-to-Perth flight to be cancelled
Matt Richardson under investigation over misconduct allegations
JR Kyushu Shinkansen service may resume around noon at the earliest
JR Kyushu Shinkansen line stops operating for overhead wire check
China sanctions ministers from Paraguay and Belize over Taiwan ties
Researchers search Nikumaroro for possible Amelia Earhart plane wreckage
Ibaraki Passport draws 27,000 applications, prompting extra copies
Chiba Prison uses religious services to support inmates and accommodate diverse faiths
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea, South Korea says
