U.S.-Russia Diesel Agreement Angers Zelensky. Russia Attacked After The Deal Was Announced.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his dismay at an agreement between the Kremlin and White House which will see U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 2027 in exchange for the staggered release of nearly two million tons of Russian diesel.

"I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter." President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account on Friday.

In return for the Russian diesel supply, the Treasury Department will suspend longstanding sanctions, which have been in place since March 2022, "related to the sale, delivery, offloading, or importation, including importation into the United States, of diesel fuel of Russian Federation origin" until April 7th 2027, according to a notice issued by the department.

However, the notice clarified that Russian central bank assets in American banks remain frozen, and that other restrictions pertaining to the exclusion of Russian financial infrastructure from the U.S. financial system remain in place.

Zelensky, whose country has been at war with Russia since the Russian invasion of February 2022, was quick to criticize the deal. In a scathing statement released on Friday, Zelensky said that "allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged."

On Saturday, he also remarked that Russia had "expressed its thanks" to the U.S. "for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia."

The attacks on the southeastern Ukrainian city killed at least 15 people, including three children, according to the Ukrainian leader and emergency services. 13 other Ukrainian regions also faced attacks overnight, Zelensky claimed.

The decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel comes less than a month after Congress approved a sanctions bill against Russian oligarchs, energy companies and financial institutions.

Nevertheless, the surge in global fuel prices, driven by continuing hostilities both in the Middle East and eastern Europe, has disquieted the Trump administration in anticipation of the midterms, which are due to be held on November 3rd.

According to the AAA, the average U.S. diesel price per gallon was $6.28 on Saturday, compared to $3.76 when the Iran war began. These high prices directly correlate with Trump's unprecedentedly low approval ratings, which dipped to record lows of 32% on October 5th according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

If such low approval ratings persist, Republicans will likely lose several key House and Senate races in November.

This potential looming political crisis for the Republican party, driven by dissatisfaction at the Trump administration's handling of rising cost-of-living, was likely the key factor behind Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports and therefore attempt to cap domestic fuel prices before November.