Donald Trump has claimed he secured a deal to obtain diesel from Russia, marking a remarkable U-turn from years of US pressure on Moscow over its conflict with Ukraine. The deal would simultaneously attempt to tackle soaring fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.
Deal announced on social media
Trump revealed on social media on Friday that he reached the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call that had been anticipated to address a suspected outbreak of plague in Russia. Instead, Trump declared that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by 500,000 tonnes more in November and 1 million tonnes "immediately thereafter".
Russia will deliver another three million tonnes "within a short period of time" after that, he wrote.
Reversal after sanctions law
Trump's announcement follows his signing of a sweeping Russia sanctions law last month, which sought to tighten the grip on Russia's energy economy, amongst other sectors, that funds its war against Ukraine. The legislation sanctions Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers, while prohibiting all new US investment in Russia and the handling of sovereign debt.
It also instructed Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exemption for nations that import less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and have taken considerable steps to reduce those imports.
