President Donald Trump announced Friday on social media that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel to the United States. The announcement reverses years of U.S. pressure on Moscow over its war with Ukraine. Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets, followed by 500,000 tons in November, 1 million tons "immediately thereafter" and 3 million more "within a short period of time." He said the deal was discussed in a phone call with Putin that was originally expected to cover a suspected plague case in Russia. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license Friday allowing Russian diesel imports until April 7.

Trump framed the move around fuel costs. "Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority," he said. AAA put the national average diesel price at $6.28 per gallon Thursday, down from a record $6.52 on September 22. Diesel prices have climbed 70 percent since the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28. Oil researcher Rory Johnston said the deal would have minimal effect on prices, calling it "clearly not a fix." The 300,000 tons to be delivered immediately equal about 2.25 million barrels. The White House did not immediately say who would pay for the diesel or when it would arrive, and Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov would not say whether the U.S. made concessions.

Putin said he and Trump discussed "the prospects of resolving the Ukrainian crisis," and that Russia "confirmed its readiness to supply oil and oil products to the American and global markets." The timing drew attention because Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law last month, passed overwhelmingly in Congress, meant to restrict Russian oil and gas revenue and directing the administration to target countries buying Russian oil and gas. The announcement casts doubt on new sanctions. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were meeting Ukrainian officials in Miami at the time on a proposal to end the war.

Zelenskyy called it "a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners," accused the administration of using peace talks as a smokescreen, and said "Russia will repay it with further terror and perfidy." He warned the deal would give Russia more money for weapons, saying each extra billion dollars from exports helps pay for weapons components, drones, missiles and recruitment. On X he said Russia marked the sanctions relief by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian officials said at least 20 people were killed, including three children, and at least 18 wounded. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was coordinating steps to counter the added revenue and had spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron about air defenses.

Senators Chuck Schumer, Jeanne Shaheen and Elizabeth Warren jointly called the deal "a betrayal of Ukraine, the European allies and U.S. national security." Former Vice President Mike Pence said lifting sanctions on Russian fuel while Russia attacks civilians "makes no sense" and would fuel "Putin's war machine." ABC Australia reported that European allies were dismayed and said they remain committed to sanctions.

Speaking to reporters Saturday outside the White House before leaving for a midterm campaign rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, Trump said it is "time for Ukraine to get a new president." He accused Zelenskyy of worsening fuel problems by authorizing strikes on Russian refineries: "We said, 'You can do whatever you want to Russia. Don't hit the refineries' because that's a world problem that's caused." He said Zelenskyy "wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel" and "could have made many deals and, for some reason, he never does." Trump said Ukraine had "lost 30 per cent" of the country; ABC Australia noted independent estimates of about 20 per cent under Russian control.

The sources do not say whether Trump is taking any formal step regarding Ukraine's leadership, and Ukrainian elections are not addressed beyond his remarks. Russia and Ukraine have escalated strikes on energy sites and infrastructure while ground forces remain largely deadlocked more than four and a half years after the February 2022 full-scale invasion.