Kremlin sees diesel deal as stepping stone to cooperation
A Russian envoy calls the controversial fuel agreement with Washington a possible opening for broader economic contacts.
Follow-up to: Twelve senators demand Trump reverse diesel deal Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 02:26
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The diesel deal between the United States and Russia could lead to further economic cooperation, according to Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev. His statement came a day after thirteen US senators, including Republicans, urged President Donald Trump to reverse the agreement.
Dmitriev said on Wednesday that Moscow would overcome any problems caused by sanctions to enable the delivery of Russian diesel. According to him, the fuel agreement could also open the door to other forms of cooperation between Russia and the United States. The Kremlin is therefore presenting the agreement not only as an energy measure, but also as a possible beginning of broader rapprochement.
Trump announced on 9 October that Russia would supply diesel to the US and international markets. The US president linked the move to high fuel prices, which his administration says are hitting farmers and transport companies particularly hard. The precise implementation and scale of the deliveries have not yet been independently established.
That same day, the US agency OFAC published General License 135. The licence permits transactions involving the sale, delivery, transhipment and import of diesel of Russian origin. The measure is regarded as a temporary easing of existing sanctions; this does not automatically establish that all announced deliveries are already taking place.
The criticism in Washington concerns both security policy and the legal basis. Thirteen senators from both parties wrote to Trump saying that the deal reduces pressure on Moscow and could support Russian revenues. They also say that allowing Russian diesel may conflict with a 2022 congressional law banning imports of Russian energy for as long as Russia continues its war against Ukraine.
The senators also dispute the claim that the agreement will provide substantial relief to American consumers. Their assessment is that the additional volumes are too small to significantly change fuel prices, while Russia will gain access to additional revenues. That is a political assessment; the ultimate impact on prices will depend on refining capacity, transport, demand and the wider international oil market.
There is also distance in Europe. On Monday, the German government said it was maintaining sanctions against Russia together with its European partners, including measures concerning oil and diesel. Berlin also warned that the announcement of an energy interruption had not led to any demonstrable improvement in the war situation.
For the Netherlands, what matters most is that energy trading is being directly linked here to sanctions policy and the war in Ukraine. As long as it remains unclear how much fuel is actually being delivered, under what conditions and which exemptions apply, the impact on the global market remains uncertain. It is clear, however, that Moscow is using the agreement politically as a sign that US sanctions pressure can be eased.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- OFAC issued a temporary licence on 9 October for transactions involving Russian diesel.
- Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on 14 October that the agreement could open the way to further economic cooperation.
- Thirteen US senators from both parties asked Trump on 13 October to reverse the agreement.
- The German government says it is maintaining European sanctions against Russian oil and diesel.
- The actual delivery volumes and the effect on fuel prices have not yet been established.
Left
Arguments The deal eases economic pressure on Russia while Ukraine is still at war. From this perspective, energy policy must remain subordinate to international law, solidarity with Ukraine and preventing Russian revenues from supporting the war.
Values The international rule of law, the protection of civilians, solidarity with allies and the responsible use of economic power.
Consequences The risk is that Russia will use the agreement as a political victory, while the relief at the US pump remains limited. A further easing could also damage the confidence of European allies.
Centre
Arguments A limited, controlled licence may be defensible if it reduces temporary price pressure, but only with clear conditions, parliamentary oversight and a reversal mechanism. The institutional question is whether the government has demonstrably weighed the interests of energy security and sanctions policy against each other.
Values The rule of law, practicality, coordination with allies and proportionate policy.
Consequences A compromise could allow deliveries without dismantling the broader sanctions framework. Without transparent volumes and review points, however, a temporary exemption risks developing into structural normalisation.
Right
Arguments The United States must first ensure that farmers, transport operators and households have access to affordable energy. From this perspective, the president may negotiate pragmatically with Russia if that increases supply, even when European partners favour a tougher line.
Values National energy security, affordability, economic freedom and strong executive decision-making.
Consequences The deal could temporarily increase supply in the domestic fuel market and give Washington room for negotiation. The counterpoint is that Russia could become financially and diplomatically stronger, while the United States could lose credibility if sanctions are adjusted quickly.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is confirmed by a Russian statement published by Reuters, the US sanctions licence and the senators' letter. The possible consequences for prices, Russian revenues and broader cooperation are attributed as estimates or political assessments and are not presented as established facts.
- confirmed Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on 14 October that the diesel deal could open the way to further economic cooperation between Russia and the United States. — Reuters reported the statement and the date. source
- confirmed OFAC published General License 135 on 9 October for transactions involving Russian diesel. — The official OFAC page lists the licence and its scope. source
- confirmed Thirteen US senators from both parties asked Trump on 13 October to reverse the agreement. — The official Senate statement names the thirteen signatories and the date. source
- confirmed The senators say that the deal may conflict with the US law banning imports of Russian energy. — This is presented as the senators' position; the article does not present the legal issue as definitively settled. source
- confirmed The German government said it was maintaining European oil and diesel sanctions against Russia. — The German government stated this during the press conference on 12 October. source
- confirmed The actual effect of the deal on the global diesel price is uncertain. — The available sources establish no realised price effect; the German government describes the market situation as volatile and makes no forecast. source
Editor's note
It is certain that OFAC published a temporary licence for Russian diesel transactions on 9 October, that US senators requested its withdrawal on 13 October and that Kremlin envoy Dmitriev envisaged further cooperation on 14 October. The actual delivery volumes, the effect on fuel prices and the legal viability of the measure remain uncertain.Sources
- Russia’s diesel deal with US opens way for more cooperation, Kremlin envoy says — Reuters via Arab News
- Trump's diesel deal with Putin draws criticism from a frustrated Congress — Associated Press
- Issuance of Russia-related General License 135 — U.S. Treasury Department, OFAC
- Shaheen, Bipartisan Senators Call on Trump to Rescind Russian Diesel Deal — U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Regierungspressekonferenz vom 12. Oktober 2026 — Bundesregierung Duitsland
The story so far
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 20:29 Diesel deal with Putin divides Republicans
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 00:56 Senators demand return of sanctions on Russia
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 02:26 Twelve senators demand Trump reverse diesel deal
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 00:57 Kremlin sees diesel deal as stepping stone to cooperation (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „diesel rusland”
- Trouw — „diesel rusland”
- NRC — „diesel rusland”