Donald Trump agrees with Vladimir Putin to release over 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel onto the world market, in an attempt to lower fuel prices. The American president himself announced it with a message published on the Truth social network, after a telephone conversation with the Kremlin leader. An agreement that comes as diesel has reached very high prices in the United States and the international energy crisis continues to fuel tensions on the markets.
I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter. Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel. Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST! Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
( TS: Oct 9 2026, 2:46 PM ET )
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 9, 2026
“I just concluded a very successful conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in 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,” Trump wrote.
The American president added that Moscow has committed to making available an additional three million tons of diesel, compatible with the conditions and operational capacity of Russian refineries. Overall, this amounts to over 4.8 million tonnes of fuel, even if not all supplies have a defined delivery date.
Trump promises a collapse in diesel prices
The objective declared by the White House is to intervene on the world supply of fuels, strongly influenced by the war in the Middle East and by the difficulties of the Russian oil sector, also affected by Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructures.
“Thanks to our control of the Strait of Hormuz and this major announcement on Russian energy, diesel prices for Americans – and for the entire world – will drop rapidly and by a record amount,” Trump assured.
“Ensuring lower prices for Americans, especially our great farmers, ranchers and truckers, is my top priority. This is an announcement of enormous importance,” Trump continued, then returning to the Iranian crisis: “It should also be made clear that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons.”
The declarations come at a particularly delicate moment for the American administration. According to data from the American Automobile Association reported by Reuterson Thursday, October 8, the average price of diesel in the United States had reached $6.28 per gallon, an increase of about 70% since the start of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The high cost of fuel represents one of the most important economic issues in view of the mid-term elections on November 3, when Americans will be called upon to renew Congress.
American sanctions on Russia and Trump’s turning point
The United States has imposed numerous sanctions against Russia’s oil sector in recent years to reduce revenue used by the Kremlin to support the war in Ukraine. As part of the agreement, a temporary suspension of American sanctions on Russian diesel is also reported. The formal details of the exemption, however, have yet to be clarified.
On October 1, Putin declared that Russia would not resume diesel exports to the world market without the removal of international sanctions. Moscow had also extended restrictions on diesel exports until the end of October, also introduced to address domestic supply difficulties.
What changes for Italy
The announcement therefore concerns significant quantities of already refined fuel, the very product that is experiencing strong tensions on international markets. The price of diesel in Italy, in fact, does not only depend on the cost of crude oil. As also explained by the Automobile Club of Italy, the international prices of refined products, refining margins, the euro-dollar exchange rate and distribution costs have a decisive impact, as well as of course taxation.
However, the agreement announced by Trump does not automatically change European sanctions against Russia. The European Union will ban the import of refined petroleum products of Russian origin from 5 February 2023, as part of measures taken after the invasion of Ukraine. A possible exemption granted by Washington would therefore concern the US sanctions system, without automatically authorizing imports of Russian diesel into EU countries, including Italy.
Trump supplants Putin, he is the new master of Italian gas: here’s how much it costs us
On the energy emergency front, the G7 countries have also agreed to use strategic reserves to place up to 100 million barrels of oil and refined products on the market. Italy also participates in the interventions coordinated with the International Energy Agency.
Trump’s promise of a rapid drop in prices remains, for the moment, a prediction of the American president. It still remains to be seen how much and when the agreement with Russia will affect diesel prices at the pump, both in the United States and in Europe.