Donald Trump unveiled a deal with Vladimir Putin under which Russia will ship millions of tons of diesel fuel to the United States, announcing the agreement on his Truth Social network on Friday and saying it was essential to reduce fuel prices. The Trump Russian diesel deal drew immediate anger from Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies, arriving as Trump's envoys met Ukrainian officials in Miami to discuss ways of ending the war.

What the deal covers

Trump wrote that Russia will supply diesel to the US in escalating volumes:

• •Over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel immediately, for the American and global marketplace
• •Another 500,000 tons during November
• •1,000,000 tons immediately thereafter
• •Then, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 tons, based on the condition of Russia's refineries

He framed the purchase around household costs, writing that lower prices for Americans, especially farmers, ranchers and truckers, was his greatest priority. He also said fuel prices had soared as a result of his decision to go to war with Iran. The agreement upends years of US and western pressure on the Kremlin to end its four-and-a-half year war against Ukraine.

Why fuel prices are a political problem

The price context Trump cites is the war with Iran. Fuel costs rose after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point that was the passageway for 20% of global oil supplies before the war. A gallon of fuel now averages $4.20.

Diesel is the sharper problem. It last month rose to a record high of $6.52, inflicting political damage on Trump and Republicans before November's midterms. Diesel is the main supply chain fuel, so a rise in its cost feeds into consumer prices, and higher prices hurt US farmers who run machinery.

Zelenskyy's response

Zelenskyy reacted bitterly. He told Axios the deal looks like a happy birthday present for Putin, who turned 74 earlier this week, and called it absolutely terrible.

In a social media post, Zelenskyy said the deal amounted to an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged, and warned that Russia was likely to repay it with further terror and perfidy.

In a statement released by Ukraine's embassy in Washington on Friday, he accused the White House of treating the Ukrainian negotiating team as cover for an arrangement already settled elsewhere, and described the move as weak decision-making by powerful partners.

Sanctions law and negotiations

Democrats criticized the agreement, saying it undercut a law Trump signed last month allowing for a broad range of sanctions on Russian banks, officials and tankers, and directing steep tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas. The law gave Trump wide discretion to make exceptions to its provisions.

The announcement also lands against a dispute over refining targets:

• •Trump has recently criticized Ukraine for attacking Russian diesel refineries, calling on Zelenskyy to choose alternative targets
• •Zelenskyy rejected that request unless Russia accepted a reciprocal de-escalation plan that would stop Moscow attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure

The deal comes amid rising tensions between Russia and Washington's Nato allies in Europe, amid speculation that Moscow might be preparing military action to test the alliance's resolve.

The agreement was announced as Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian and European officials in Miami to discuss proposals to end the war.