Russia’s readiness to supply the United States and the global market with oil and petroleum products amid the fuel crisis, Vladimir Putin conveyed this to Donald Trump during their phone call on Friday (October 9). According to the Kremlin, Moscow reiterated its willingness to increase the supply of energy products, while the U.S. president announced that Russia had agreed to immediately make more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel available to the U.S. and international markets.
This development provoked a strong reaction from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who accused Washington of, through its decision, is providing Russia with additional resources to continue the war.
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The Kremlin confirms the agreement – The quantities Russia will supply
The Kremlin confirmed Moscow’s readiness to increase supplies of oil and petroleum products to the United States and the international market, following a phone call between the two presidents.
“The Russian side reiterated its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the U.S. market and the global market,” the Russian presidency’s statement noted, confirming what Donald Trump had announced earlier.
The U.S. president announced that Russia had agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel, in order to bolster fuel supplies and ease pressure on prices.
According to Trump’s announcement, an additional 500,000 metric tons are expected to be made available in November, followed by another one million metric tons shortly thereafter, as well as three million metric tons in the near future, depending on the situation at Russian refineries.
Trump: Diesel prices will drop quickly
Donald Trump linked the agreement to efforts to reduce energy costs, arguing that the increase in the supply of Russian diesel, combined with the control that, he claims, the U.S. exercises over the Strait of Hormuz, will lead to a rapid decline in prices.
“Thanks to our FULL CONTROL over the Strait of Hormuz and this important announcement regarding Russian energy, diesel prices for Americans—and, in fact, for the entire world—will FALL TO RECORD LOWS, AND QUICKLY!” he wrote in his post.
The U.S. president emphasized that lowering fuel prices is a top priority for his administration, placing special emphasis on farmers, ranchers, and truck drivers, who are directly impacted by the rising cost of diesel.
In the same post, he also addressed Tehran’s nuclear program, reiterating Washington’s categorical stance.
“Furthermore, it must be understood that Iran will not possess a nuclear weapon!” Trump stated.
The announcement of the agreement comes at a time when the U.S. fuel market is under intense pressure due to the energy crisis caused by the war with Iran.
According to data cited by Reuters, diesel prices in the United States have risen by about 70% since the start of the war, reaching $6.28 per gallon.
The increased costs are affecting freight transportation, agricultural production, and heating, exacerbating inflationary pressures and placing a burden on households and businesses.
The Trump administration is seeking ways to boost fuel supply and keep prices in check, with less than four weeks remaining until the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
Part of the efforts to address the energy crisis includes the previous agreement by G7 countries to release 100 million barrels from their reserves.
However, despite the expectations raised by the White House, the actual impact of the agreement with Russia on prices will depend on the timing of delivery of the agreed-upon quantities, the ability of Russian refineries to increase their production, and the conditions prevailing in the global market.
Novak: More diesel exports in November and December
For his part, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, stated that his country is ready to begin shipping additional quantities of diesel to the U.S. and other countries as early as October.
As he explained, Russian exports are expected to increase further during November and December, as the country’s refineries are gradually resuming operations following the completion of scheduled maintenance work.
The energy cooperation between the two countries was also welcomed by Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy of Vladimir Putin, who posted on the X platform shortly after the two leaders’ phone call.
“Russia-U.S. cooperation in the diesel and energy sectors will benefit the world,” Dmitriev wrote, emphasizing the importance Moscow attaches to this development.
Zelenskyy’s Furious Reaction: “Gifts to Putin Will Not Bring Peace”
The agreement drew a reaction from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who argued that Russia’s ability to supply petroleum products to the United States would strengthen Moscow economically and hinder efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
In a post on the X platform, the Ukrainian president directly criticized Washington’s decision.
“Gifts to Putin will bring neither peace nor any benefit to the civilized world,” he said.
He then warned that boosting Russian revenue from the sale of energy products would have direct consequences for the course of the conflict.
“Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and malice. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. What is needed is genuine de-escalation with Russia, on a mutual basis,” Zelenskyy said.
“A Weak Decision by Strong Partners”
The Ukrainian president returned to the topic while speaking to reporters, expressing concern that the agreement would provide Russia with additional revenue, which could be used to finance its military operations.
According to Zelenskyy, the decision is not limited to its economic and energy implications but risks undermining diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement that would lead to an end to the war.
In fact, he characterized the agreement between Washington and Moscow on diesel a “weak decision” by powerful partners, insisting that the international community should seek genuine de-escalation rather than moves that, in his view, strengthen the Russian side.
Trump on Zelenskyy’s Criticism: “We Are a Strong Partner; We Need Oil for the Whole World”
Donald Trump was also called upon to respond to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s criticism of the U.S.-Russia agreement on diesel fuel, after the Ukrainian president stated that it was a “weak decision” that would contribute to prolonging the war.
A reporter asked the U.S. president to comment on Zelenskyy’s remarks, with Trump defending the agreement, emphasizing the energy needs of the international market. “We are a strong partner. We need oil for the whole world. That’s why we’re very pleased that we’ll be getting the diesel,” he replied, without elaborating on the Ukrainian president’s allegations that the deal would financially bolster Moscow and prolong the war.
The U.S. decision was accompanied by a temporary easing of restrictions on Russian diesel trade, through a relevant license issued by the U.S. Treasury Department. This marks a shift in the policy of pressure on Moscow, as Washington attempts to curb rising fuel prices.
Source: Protothema.gr
