Bogdan Frolov8:22 PM, October 10, 2026
Economists estimate that this deal could bring billions to the Kremlin.
While Russia attacks Ukraine daily with missiles and drones, Washington is moving closer to the Kremlin. Less than a month before the US Congressional elections, US President Donald Trump wants to reduce high gasoline prices in the US and is therefore striking a multi-billion dollar diesel supply deal with Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.
This is a real gift for Putin’s military budget, writes Bild . In total, Russia is expected to supply the US with up to 4.8 million tons of diesel fuel over the next few months, starting with 300,000 tons in October.
For comparison, daily diesel consumption in the United States is approximately 500 thousand tons.
Will fuel become cheaper now?
Whether Trump’s much-heralded diesel deal will actually lower gas prices remains unclear, journalists say. “I’m not sure it will help much,” noted Professor Clemens Fuest, president of the Munich-based ifo Institute for Economic Research.
He also said the very question of whether Russia is even capable of supplying large volumes of diesel is questionable. After all, many Russian oil refineries have been seriously damaged by Ukrainian strikes. The country itself is suffering from a fuel shortage.
How is the German government responding?
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesman, Stefan Cornelius, said Berlin had “taken note” of the US decision.
For the German government and its European partners, he said, the sanctions against Russia remain in effect, and work is already underway on new sanctions.
“Our support for Ukraine in its defense war remains unwavering,” Cornelius emphasized. He also stated that “diplomatic work toward a peaceful solution continues.”
How much money will this deal bring Putin?
It’s impossible to say exactly how much money will ultimately flow into Putin’s military budget from diesel sales. However, if Russia were to sell the announced 4.8 million tons of diesel at the current market price of approximately $1,400 per ton, it would generate gross revenue of approximately $6.7 billion (approximately €6 billion, or approximately 280 billion hryvnias).
Regardless of the actual revenue volume, ifo President Fuest warns of consequences for Ukraine.
If Russia is indeed able to deliver the declared volumes, “this deal will strengthen Russia and weaken Ukraine,” the economist concludes.
(C)UNIAN 2026
Not so fast.
First of all, the mafia state will have to have the required amount of diesel to sell. Second, it won’t be doing so for long. In less than four weeks, we have the midterms. Third, Ukraine has a say in this. More pounding of mafia oil infrastructure will make exporting anything more painful than useful.
The prime targets for Ukraine now, will be any refinery connected to diesel. I hope the FP-9s will be ready soon, they will scupper any plans for the TACO/Putler regime.