US eases Russian diesel sanctions, but pump relief is tiny
- Treasury suspended sanctions on Russian diesel; The Daily reports prices at US pumps barely moved.
- Envoys are offering Russia business deals before any peace, alarming Ukraine and Europe.
The Trump administration has temporarily suspended sanctions on Russian diesel, and The Daily's reporting suggests the move buys Moscow far more than it buys American drivers. The Daily discussed the decision on Oct. 14; this account follows that show's reporting.
The administration announced the United States would take 300,000 tons of Russian diesel, with 500,000 more tons planned for November. Treasury paused the penalties that normally keep buyers away. The Daily's Anton Trojanovsky said the motive is domestic: energy prices jumped after the Iran war began in February, and diesel above six dollars a gallon is a political risk ahead of the midterm elections.
The relief, though, is small. The Daily noted the first 300,000 tons equals less than one day of American diesel consumption. AAA figures cited on the show put diesel at $6.28 a gallon down from $6.32 a week earlier.
Ukraine and European leaders reacted with dismay. Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal an investment in Russia's war effort, according to the show, and Europeans warned it undercuts years of coordinated sanctions. Trump dismissed the criticism and blamed Zelensky for not settling the conflict sooner. Trojanovsky said no Russian concession is known to have come in return, and Russia kept striking Ukrainian infrastructure, including an attack Ukraine called its deadliest of the year, killing at least 33 people.
The diesel move fits a broader shift. Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are now offering Russia business opportunities up front, rather than after a peace deal, hoping to show Vladimir Putin what cooperation could look like.
Trojanovsky described one deal already under way: a consortium led by Todd Boehly is negotiating to buy Lukoil's international assets, including European refineries and US gas stations, reportedly worth billions. Its investors include Middle Eastern partners with ties to Kushner. Administration officials say the envoys receive no direct profits, the show reported.
Trojanovsky argued Putin's priorities are territory, control over Ukraine and Russia's relationship with NATO, and that so far the approach has not changed his calculus. He warned Ukraine faces a dangerous winter with depleted missile defenses. Sanctions, he said, remain a possible bargaining tool, though the administration may use them incrementally.
Source Intelligence
- Deep dive into what was said in the episodes
The U.S. Tried to Choke Russia’s Energy Market. Then It Made a Diesel Deal. • Oct 14
- Donald Trump announced that Russia would immediately supply 300,000 tons of diesel, another 500,000 tons in November, and potentially millions more; the Treasury temporarily suspended sanctions on Russian diesel purchases.
- Anton Trojanovsky says Trump’s envoys began dangling business deals in 2025 to persuade Putin to end the war, but Putin prioritizes territory, control over Ukraine, and Russia’s relationship with NATO.
- Anton says the Iran war, which began in February, pushed global energy prices higher while approaching midterm elections increased the administration’s incentive to show it was lowering fuel costs for Americans.
- Ukrainian strikes reportedly knocked out about half of Russia’s oil-refining capacity, contributing to fuel lines and a Russian diesel export ban; Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continued, including a strike that killed at least 33 people.
- Anton says the Trump administration pressed Ukraine to stop hitting Russian refineries, while Ukraine offered to halt those strikes only if Russia also stopped attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
- The initial 300,000 tons would add less than a day of U.S. diesel consumption, and AAA prices showed diesel at $6.28 per gallon on Tuesday, down from $6.32 a week earlier.
- Anton says the diesel decision startled Ukraine and European officials, who saw it as a weakening of sanctions; Europe still buys Russian liquefied natural gas, while Slovakia and Hungary continue buying Russian oil.
- The EU plans to end Russian gas imports next year, a sharp contrast with Washington’s diesel move; Anton says the U.S. had also maintained Biden-era support for Ukraine and recently expanded sanctions on Russian energy.
- Anton says the diesel deal had no known Russian concession in return, giving Putin a sanctions opening while Russia continued rejecting negotiations and striking Ukraine; Trump’s anger has focused on Zelensky, though U.S. intelligence support continues.
- A potential sale of Lukoil’s international assets could involve billions of dollars in refineries, oil fields, and gas stations; Anton reports an investor group led by Todd Boehly and including Middle Eastern partners with ties to Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
- Anton says Trump has restored high-level contact with Putin, including regular calls and envoy visits, but Russia’s war has escalated; a future settlement may require direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations because U.S. leverage over both sides is limited.
- Anton says sanctions remain a potential bargaining tool, but the administration may use them incrementally; U.S. policy could shift after elections, while political movements in Germany, France, and the UK are pressing for closer ties with Russia.
- Anton warns that Ukraine faces a dangerous winter with depleted missile defenses and continued Russian attacks on infrastructure, while the diesel and sanctions negotiations unfold without an end to the war in sight.
Also discussed on this episode: (3)
Corruption (1)
- Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to step down; a Republican donor alleged she requested $100,000 for a credit-card bill before her Senate confirmation hearing.
Health (1)
- Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed; the Vatican said the surgery succeeded without complications but did not say whether further treatment was planned.
Education (1)
- Cornell banned fraternity-house parties for the rest of the academic year after a student alleged gang rape in October 2024; the university also plans to add experienced sexual-assault investigators to work with campus police.