Symbolic imageTrump's Russian diesel deal draws criticism from senators and Europe
A bipartisan group of US senators and European governments object to Trump's deal to buy Russian diesel. Washington replies that Europe itself still buys Russian energy.
Twelve senators, including Republican Mitch McConnell, wrote on Tuesday, 13 October, that the deal should be rescinded. Trump announced it after a call with Putin on Friday, 9 October. The senators call it a betrayal of Ukraine and say the revenue will fund Russia's war and its cooperation with Iran, China and North Korea. A 2022 law bars US imports of Russian energy unless a president consults Congress and waits 90 days, and some officials question the legality of the Treasury's special licence, which runs to 7 April 2027. Finland's foreign minister called the purchases "not a good idea", Reuters reports, and Zelenskyy has said gifts to Putin will not bring peace.
Washington points to Europe's purchases
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Europeans of "complete hypocrisy". Data from the Helsinki-based CREA show the five biggest EU importers paid Russia 1.1 billion euros in August for pipeline gas, LNG and crude oil, largely under sanctions exemptions.
Doubts over volumes
Russian energy official Alexander Novak confirmed 300,000 tonnes of diesel for October, rising to up to a million in December. FAZ calls this unrealistic, since drone strikes forced three of Russia's six biggest diesel refineries to cut output in September.
Strikes continue despite energy truce
Russian missiles hit Kyiv's energy infrastructure after Trump announced an energy ceasefire on Sunday, 11 October, according to Ukrainian authorities. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosts Zelenskyy on Wednesday and plans to promise faster deliveries of air defence missiles.