Trump Announces Russia-Ukraine 'Energy Ceasefire'. Kyiv Wasn't Told, and Power Plants Were Hit Anyway
Zelenskyy tells ABC "it's up to our people" to pick their leader and says elections are possible after a 60-day total ceasefire.
Trump Strikes Deal With Putin to Buy Russian Diesel as US Fuel Prices Hit Records Before Midterms
Photo: Al Jazeera / AP (file photo)
US President Donald Trump says he has agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia will supply diesel to ease US fuel costs before the 3 November midterm elections. Trump said over 300,000 tonnes would arrive "immediately," 500,000 tonnes in November, 1 million tonnes after that and 3 million tonnes later, depending on Russian refinery conditions, according to Al Jazeera.
Why now: The US-Israel war on Iran, which began in February, has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz. Diesel hit record highs in the US and Europe in September, with the US national average reaching a record $6.52 per gallon and sitting at $6.20 per AAA, more than double a year earlier. The G7 agreed last week to release 100 million barrels of emergency diesel and crude reserves. A Pew survey found 84% of registered voters rank the economy as their top issue.
The pushback: The US banned Russian oil and gas imports in 2022, and the Treasury's OFAC has issued a temporary general license for Russian diesel supply. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it "a weak decision by strong partners." Political Wire reports that Republican campaigns of Mike Rogers (Michigan) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska) criticised the arrangement, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) plans to force a House vote to block Russian diesel imports via a discharge petition.
Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera were sceptical: one called it "another classic Trump deal," and another said the G7 reserve release "would be short-lived." Russian diesel exports have fallen sharply this year, and Russia has banned diesel exports through the end of October, with the option to partly lift the ban.
Why Nigerians should care: the same Hormuz disruption is behind Nigeria's petrol price pressure and the Federal Government's 30-day NNPC discount.
Sources: Al Jazeera: Why is the US turning to Russia for diesel despite sanctions? · Political Wire: Some Republicans reject Trump’s deal with Russia · Political Wire: GOP lawmaker moves to block Russian diesel imports
