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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin reach an agreement, with Russia supplying diesel to the United States. Washington lifts energy sanctions against Moscow. And it deals a severe blow to Volodymyr Zelensky's Ukraine, surprised by "an unworthy decision" that could decisively impact the war. Trump announced the agreement in a triumphant post on the social media platform Truth after his phone conversation—his sixth of the year—with the Russian president.
“I just concluded a very successful meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300.000 tons of diesel fuel to the American and global markets, another 500.000 tons in November, and 1.000.000 tons immediately thereafter.
Furthermore, based on the capacity of their refineries, Russia will then shortly deliver 3.000.000 tons of diesel fuel,” were the figures the US president revealed on Friday evening in Italy. The suspension of energy sanctions against Russia lasts at least until April 7, 2027. Trump aims to cash in immediately, with implications for the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
“Thanks to our total control of the Strait of Hormuz and this major announcement on Russian energy, diesel prices for Americans – and the world – will drop rapidly and at a record rate,” says Trump, who at the event organized at the White House for Columbus Day, with the Italian-American community courted in view of the vote, provides the latest figures relating to oil coming from the Persian Gulf: “In the last 24 hours we have released 28 million barrels from the Strait of Hormuz”.
The new diesel supplies, according to the White House, will bring about the desired drop in prices on the domestic market: "Ensuring lower prices for Americans, especially our large farmers, ranchers, and truckers, is my top priority. This is a very weighty and important announcement. It must also be made clear that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons," Trump said.
"This deal is huge; a huge amount of diesel will be coming to our country. I want to thank President Putin," Trump said later, speaking to reporters at the White House, effectively ignoring questions about Zelensky's bitter comments. "We are a strong partner; we need diesel for the world."
The agreement represents a potential double, if not triple, victory for Putin. "The arrival of Russian oil on the American market will have a positive impact on the entire global economy," were the words attributed to the Russian president by the Tass news agency. While waiting to demonstrate that it can honor its commitments to the US—given the damage suffered by its oil facilities in the last year of the war—Moscow is coming out of its corner and officially reactivating trade relations with America. Putin is securing the removal of heavy sanctions and, at the same time, seeking to limit Ukraine's freedom of action in the war that has been ongoing for over four and a half years. In recent weeks, it is no coincidence that Trump has repeatedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to avoid attacks on Russian refineries: "Diesel prices are rising because of the war in Ukraine," the American president's subjective analysis.
Now, with a Moscow-Washington agreement, it could become even more difficult for Kiev to target the enemy's energy infrastructure. Putin, obviously, aims to consolidate the recently achieved result: "Russia has confirmed its willingness to supply oil and oil products to the US and global markets. The arrival of Russian oil on the American market will have a positive impact on the entire global economy. During the telephone conversation, significant attention was paid to the prospects for resolving the Ukrainian crisis. The situation with Iran and various aspects of bilateral relations were addressed. Putin and Trump agreed to continue personal contacts, as well as cooperation through their administrations, special services, and ministries," the Kremlin announced.
Advisor Yuri Ushakov adds: "Putin and Trump discussed the preparation of large-scale economic initiatives, including the supply of Russian oil products to US and global markets. Putin told Trump that, following the attacks by Ukrainian forces during the Duma elections, Moscow will further consider when negotiations can resume." The two presidents will likely meet on November 17 and 18 in Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Summit: "The timing of a meeting between Putin and Trump has not yet been discussed, but both leaders intend to attend the APEC summit."
The agreement is a cold shower for Ukraine, surprised—not to say betrayed—while talks are underway in Miami between Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's emissaries, and Kiev's negotiators. President Zelensky uses harsh tones after the "unworthy and weak" decision. "Our team has been used as a cover. It's certainly not honest, it's certainly not worthy of our partners, and, in my opinion, it's a weak decision."
The Ukrainian leader is well aware of the potential consequences of the agreement: Russia will have additional resources to invest in the war and is confident in Trump's continued pressure on Kiev not to attack enemy oil facilities. Kiev, however, is not inclined to change its war strategy: Russian refineries will remain in its sights. "Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Peace is never achieved through weakness," Zelensky commented, disappointed by the latest developments at the international level. "Recently, there was a European decision to lift sanctions against Russian oligarchs. Since then, Russian attacks and abuses against the population have only increased."
Furthermore, he states, "any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is a clear weakness. It plays into Russia's hands, pushing it to kill more, fight longer, respect America even less, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world." On the contrary, "Ukraine is ready to take de-escalation steps, and the American team is aware of our position."
Allowing Russia to sell oil products means investing in a war that must end and should not continue. A true de-escalation with Russia is needed, and in a mirror format. We count on America's rightful support in defending our lives, in defending our people in Ukraine, and on an equally strong dialogue between the United States and Russia. A strong dialogue, not a weak one,” he concludes.
international/foreign
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