Donald Trump does deal with Russia to release diesel to global market | BBC News

Donald Trump says he has reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin allowing Moscow to "immediately release" large quantities of diesel into the global market.

Trump said Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another million after that.

"Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Putin confirmed that Russia was willing to supply both the US and global markets with oil and petroleum products.

The announcement is the latest effort from Trump to lower fuel prices in the US, as he has spent months grappling with the political consequences of the Iran war, which began in February, and its impact on global energy prices.

That conflict has sent the cost of petrol and, in particular diesel, skyrocketing in America in recent months, which has soured his standing with the public who have been stung by the higher pump prices and knock-on effects that led to across-the board inflation.

Shortly after Trump's announcement, the US Treasury formally issued a temporary licence allowing Russian diesel into the market.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said in a statement that he had spoken to Trump about the global energy situation, adding: "The Russian side confirmed its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the US market and global markets at large.

However Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said any easing of sanctions on Russia played into Moscow's hands and would prolong the war between their countries. He said "gifts to Putin will not work for peace" and that Russia would repay the diesel with "further terror".

Russia has suffered severe fuel shortages across the country as a result of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries. According to the International Energy Agency, Russia’s diesel production is estimated to have fallen by nearly 30%, raising questions about its ability to export significant quantities of the fuel.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Tom Bateman in Washington.

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