US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had negotiated with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the delivery of large quantities of Russian diesel to the American and global markets.
“Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and global market, another 500,000 tonnes in November, and 1,000,000 tonnes immediately afterwards. In addition, depending on the status of its refineries, Russia will quickly deliver 3,000,000 tonnes of diesel,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Diesel prices for Americans, and in fact for the world, WILL FALL QUICKLY IN RECORD PROPORTIONS! Lower prices for Americans, and especially our great farmers, ranchers and truckers, is my biggest priority,” the White House occupant stressed, saying he had held a “very productive discussion” with Vladimir Putin.
Diesel prices have risen by more than 65% in the United States since the start of the war in the Middle East, weighing on many economic sectors, including agriculture and transportation.
The US Department of the Treasury said it had granted provisional authorization for the release of Russian diesel onto the market.
The announcement comes amid a particularly tense electoral context in the United States. Donald Trump is seeking to sharply reduce pump prices to ease voter discontent ahead of the midterm legislative elections scheduled for November 3.
The announcement also coincides with the resumption of diplomatic negotiations in Florida between US, Ukrainian and European delegations in an attempt to find a way out of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
