Donald Trump defended his controversial deal with Russia by criticizing the EU for paying Russia $250 billion for energy since the start of the war in Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that his decision to allow the export of diesel from Russia was beneficial for America and emphasized his "America first" policy. The article also notes that despite sanctions, some European countries, including Hungary and Slovakia, have continued importing Russian fossil fuels.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On October 9, President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin allowing Russia to supply millions of tons of diesel fuel to global markets. This move came despite ongoing sanctions against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine and amid rising tensions over the war. Specifically, the agreement includes an initial release of 300,000 tonnes followed by additional shipments in November and thereafter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly criticized Trump's decision, calling it "an investment in a war that must be ended." He warned that easing sanctions on diesel exports would provide more funds for Russia to finance its aggression against Ukraine. Zelensky also expressed his disappointment while speaking with reporters via WhatsApp and highlighted the deal’s immediate negative impact by stating, “Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world.”
Former NATO commander Gen. Philip Breedlove echoed similar concerns, asserting that the agreement would allow Russia to fund its war effort further and buy time through negotiations likely meant only for delay. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also condemned Trump’s deal as “sickening,” accusing him of forcing American drivers to bankroll Putin's military actions.
Despite international criticism, Trump defended his decision, emphasizing lower fuel prices ahead of the US mid-term elections scheduled in November, aiming to address voter concerns over rising costs. The UK government responded by pledging to maintain sanctions on Russia and increase economic pressure on Moscow through its toughest sanctions regime ever imposed.
Written for “Trump Russia Diesel Deal” on 2026-10-13,
grounded in this article and the 42 other(s) covering the same event.
Donald Trump today lashed out at the EU over its '$250billion energy payment' to Russia – after he was lambasted for his own multi-million pound deal with the Kremlin.
asserted
he → lash → Kremlin
The President hit back at critics and declared 'America first' following his controversial agreement with Putin last week.
asserted
President → hit → Putin
It is understood the US Treasury is suspending sanctions on exports until April 7 to release 300,000 tons of diesel immediately 'to the American and global marketplace'.
asserted
Treasury → understand → marketplace
The shipment will be followed by 500,000 tons in November and a further one million after that.
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shipment → follow → that
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Mr Trump of giving Russia a gift that amounts to 'an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged' – a statement backed by the country's allies.
asserted
that → accuse → allies
But writing on Truth Social today, Mr Trump suggested the EU was applying double standards in its own trade policies.
uncertain
EU → write → policies
He said: 'The European Union paid Russia 250 Billion Dollars for Energy, and the Fake News Media doesn’t want to get near that story.
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Media → say → story
I made the right choice for the American People - ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!
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I → make → People
Pricing models by a campaign group suggest the EU has so far spent almost €240billion - or $270billion - on Russian coal, oil and gas since the war in Ukraine began in February, 2022.
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war → suggest → February
Writing on Truth Social today, Mr Trump suggested the EU was applying double standards in its own trade policies
The President hit back at critics and declared 'America first' following his controversial agreement with Putin last week (file image)
Last week the UK government insisted it would continue 'to maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK, increasing the cost of Putin's aggression and supporting efforts to secure a just and lasting peace'.
uncertain
it → write → peace
According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Belgium sourced 100 per cent of its liquid natural gas from Russia in July this year.
uncertain
Belgium → accord → July
Hungary was the EU's largest buyer – importing €486million worth of Russian fossil fuels that month while Slovakia ranked second at €299million, followed by Belgium and France.
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Slovakia → import → Belgium
Mr Trump's deal with Putin comes amid backlash from voters over his war with Iran, which has helped diesel prices soar from $3.68 per gallon a year ago to $6.28 by Friday.
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prices → come → Friday
He reportedly decided to seal the agreement with the Russian dictator after Mr Zelenskyy did not agree to his requests to stop strikes on oil infrastructure.
uncertain
Zelenskyy → decide → infrastructure
A US official said: 'Zelenskyy is misreading the room.
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Zelenskyy → say → room
By continuing to hit refineries, he is eroding the good will that he has built with Trump over the last six months.'
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he → continue → months
Ukraine's success at targeting the industry in Russia has caused a crisis for Putin but the nation does still have surplus diesel it can spare.
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it → target → diesel
Twisting the knife, Putin's foreign affairs aide Yury Ushakov said the one-and-a-half-hour call with Mr Trump was so friendly 'neither side wanted to hang up first'.
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side → twist → Trump
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference following talks with Germany's Chancellor in Mariinsky Palace earlier this month
Mr Trump said he was 'ready to continue communicating with Vladimir Putin this evening, through the night, and into the next day'.
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he → speak → day
Mr Zelenskyy hit back after admitting being blindsided by the US suspending sanctions to buy Russian diesel.
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US → hit → diesel
Last week Mr Trump claimed an 'energy ceasefire' had been agreed between Russia and Ukraine.
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ceasefire → claim → Russia
The deal would mean both sides stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure, effectively helping Mr Trump's fuel agreement.
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sides → mean → agreement
However, the deal was lambasted by former UK Prime Minister and Energy Secretary Boris Johnson.
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deal → lambast → Johnson
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, he said: 'The double standards are outrageous.
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standards → speak → Mail
'Why should Putin be allowed to destroy Ukrainian energy infrastructure – as well as murdering countless civilians – if the Ukrainians are forbidden from responding?
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Ukrainians → allow → civilians
I doubt that Putin has the diesel to ship to the US but if he tries to go via the English Channel I hope it is intercepted by the Royal Navy.'
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it → doubt → Navy
He added: 'The Ukrainians are valiantly trying to protect themselves and their families from threats of bombardment.
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Ukrainians → add → bombardment
We should be helping them and the best way to get this over and get the price of fuel down is to make Putin see sense.
'
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Putin → help → sense
It's ridiculous to try to appease Putin and it won't make a bean of difference to the price of fuel.'
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it → try → fuel
The Aporia
