“It’s not a deal for me, it’s for the rest of the world,” Trump says as he defends diesel deal with Russia | Today’s news
Days after announcing a diesel supply deal with Russia, US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) defended the deal with Moscow, saying it would help ease global fuel pressure and benefit US farmers and ranchers.
Trump defends diesel deal with Russia: What we know
Trump made the remarks before traveling to Ohio for a midterm campaign rally. Speaking to reporters, he said: “We produce a lot of oil. We could put restrictions on oil, but the rest of the world would be very affected if we did. We could do restrictions, restrictions on diesel. Keep it all to ourselves. That would have a very big impact. It’s not really a deal for me, it’s a deal for the rest of the world. Anything that could help our farmers, our farmers.”
The deal represents a sharp reversal of years of US pressure on Moscow over its war with Ukraine and is aimed at addressing high fuel prices ahead of the November 3 US election.
On October 9, Trump said on Truth Social that after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia agreed to an immediate delivery of over 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and one million tons “immediately thereafter.”
The announcement was in stark contrast to the sweeping Russia sanctions law he signed in September, aimed at curbing oil and gas revenues that fund Moscow’s war against Kiev.
Trump Criticizes Zelensky, Defends Putin Amid Oil Deal
The oil deal came two days before the US president announced an “energy truce” between Moscow and Kyiv, “effective immediately”. Moscow and Kiev have since been at loggerheads over whether the proposed truce is being followed, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claiming Russia has continued to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure despite the announcement.
Last week, Trump criticized Zelensky for attacking Russia’s energy infrastructure and blamed Kiev’s ongoing strikes for rising diesel prices, which are said to be hurting Republicans ahead of the midterms.
Trump again criticized Zelenskyi on Monday, telling reporters: “What I think is this: Zelenskyi needs to focus on getting the deal done, not talking about it.”
Speaking about Putin’s willingness to reach a peace deal, he said: “I think what’s happening is that he (Russian President Putin) wants to make a deal and we have to get Zelenskyi to want to make a deal… I think they will make a deal. I think actually Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelenskyi.”
Zelensky slams diesel deal
Responding to Trump’s announcement of the diesel deal, Ukraine’s president called it “absolutely terrible” and “unfair and dishonest.” According to The Guardian, Zelenskyy stressed that “backroom deals” with Putin would give the Russian president more opportunities on the battlefield.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy condemned the deal, writing: “Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will “pay back” oil with more terror and treachery. Allowing Russia to sell oil products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. A real de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis is needed.”
