Trump lifts sanctions on Russian diesel exports as senators push back over Ukraine law
The US lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports and announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow promising more than 300,000 metric tons immediately. Bipartisan senators say the deal may violate a 2022 law, ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.
What Trump announced
US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports and announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine aimed at protecting energy infrastructure. On Friday, 9 October, he said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons (about 2.25 million barrels) of diesel to the US and international markets. The sanctions had been designed to deny Moscow revenue that funds its war against Ukraine, and the government lifted them only temporarily. Trump later added that Russia would deliver a further 500,000 tons in November and another 1 million tons 'immediately after'. Reuters said it is uncertain whether these additional volumes can meaningfully relieve the market. Trump attributes part of the recent price rise to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, while the war with Iran, which began seven months earlier, also keeps pressure on prices.
Sequence of events
Trump's announcement came on Friday, 9 October, and a bipartisan group of senators objected on Sunday, 11 October. The timeline below sets out the main dates in the dispute.
- Trump announces lifting of sanctions on Russian diesel exports and says Russia will supply over 300,000 metric tons
- Bipartisan senators urge Trump to reverse the deal; Trump announces Russia and Ukraine agreed to stop attacks on each other's energy infrastructure
- Trump defends the deal; US diesel futures fall 0.5%
On Sunday, Trump also announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. On Monday, 12 October, he defended the deal in a social media post saying he had made the right choice for the American people, and US diesel futures fell 0.5% that day.
Scale of the supply
The US Energy Information Administration puts daily diesel consumption of the US transport sector at about 2.94 million barrels, so the initial 300,000 tons covers less than one day of that demand. The 500,000 tons promised for November and the 1 million tons 'immediately after' together amount, according to the reporting, to less than four days of US transport diesel demand. The announced volumes are compared below.
- Initial supply, announced 9 October (over 300,000)
- 300000 metric tons
- November
- 500000 metric tons
- Immediately after November
- 1000000 metric tons
Before Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries began in 2024, Russia exported about 100,000 tons of diesel a day. Industry sources said Russia could cover the initial 300,000 tons if Ukraine stopped attacking its refineries.
Obstacles and market effect
It remains unclear which tankers would carry the fuel, since many vessels in the fleet remain under sanctions. Russia's refining capacity is also in doubt after repeated Ukrainian drone strikes. Moscow banned diesel exports from July to cover domestic demand and extended that ban to 31 October for countries without bilateral agreements, while continuing steady exports to 'friendly' states, mainly in Central Asia. Only a small part of the revenue from diesel sales is expected to reach the state budget directly. The war with Iran also restricts fuel supply from Gulf countries, keeping pressure on the market.
Congress, Kyiv and Brussels
A group of Republican and Democratic senators urged Trump on Sunday to change course and withdraw the agreement, arguing it may violate a 2022 law that supports Ukraine in repelling the Russian invasion. Republican senator Jerry Moran wrote on social media that sanctions should be strengthened rather than undermined, warning of lost negotiating leverage and damaged credibility with allies. Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky exchanged barbs over the weekend about Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. Trump said Ukraine needs a new president, while Zelensky pledged to call elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. The European Commission's spokesperson Paola Pino said the EU position is unchanged and the bloc is gradually ending its dependence on Russian fossil fuels. António Costa wrote on X that the EU would increase pressure through new sanctions, and member states approved nearly 1,600 new listings targeting Russia's military-industrial complex, the largest single expansion of the sanctions list since the full-scale invasion began.
