Trump strikes diesel deal with Putin, reversing years of pressure on Russia over Ukraine war

CBC reports that Trump said Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and one million tons "immediately thereafter."[1] According to Axios, the Treasury Department said it was "immediately issuing a temporary general license to allow the supply of Russian diesel to the global market."[2]NBC News reports that a Treasury document authorises Russian diesel imports "through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, April 7, 2027."[3] NPR reports that Trump made the deal to combat prices before midterms.[4]According to NPR, the Kremlin said Putin told Trump that Russia "confirmed its readiness to supply oil and oil products to the American and global markets"[4]. NPR also reports that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Moscow is "immediately starting to lift restrictions on diesel exports ahead of schedule."[4]CNBC reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote, "Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world"[5]. Axios reports that the announcement came as Ukrainian and European diplomats arrived in Miami for talks on ending the war with Russia.[2]CNN quotes former State Department sanctions official Richard Nephew as asking, "How does anyone take the sanctions regime seriously?"[6] Atlantic Council analyst Joseph Webster told Axios the volumes "are not only uncertain to materialize but are small in volume"[2].CBC reports that the White House did not immediately respond to questions about who was paying for the Russian diesel or when it would become available.[1]