Russia expects first diesel contracts with U.S. in coming days after Trump eased sanctions

Russia expects the first contracts for diesel supplies to the United States to be signed in the coming days following President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian fuel exports, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said Wednesday.

Trump said last week that Russia had agreed to release more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel immediately for the U.S. and global markets, with additional volumes expected later.

Dmitriev said Moscow would overcome sanctions-related obstacles to ensure deliveries and argued that the diesel agreement could serve as a model for broader economic and investment cooperation between Russia and the United States.

The deal has drawn criticism from Ukrainian and European officials, who say easing restrictions on Russian energy could provide Moscow with additional revenue while the war in Ukraine continues.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has also urged Trump to reverse the agreement, arguing that it could conflict with U.S. sanctions law and do little to lower fuel prices for American consumers.