Donald Trump has defended his deal with Russia by accusing the European Union of paying Moscow $250 billion for energy, as criticism mounted over an agreement to secure Russian diesel for the United States.
The US Treasury is understood to be suspending sanctions on exports until April 7 to allow 300,000 tons of diesel to be released immediately to the American and global markets. A further 500,000 tons is expected in November, followed by another one million tons.
Mr Trump insisted the arrangement represented an “America first” decision after facing backlash over his agreement with Vladimir Putin last week.
Writing on Truth Social, 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. I made the right choice for the American People – ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Figures from a campaign group suggest EU countries have spent almost €240 billion, or about $270 billion, on Russian coal, oil and gas since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air indicated that Belgium obtained all of its liquefied natural gas from Russia in July. Hungary was the bloc’s biggest buyer of Russian fossil fuels that month, importing €486 million worth, followed by Slovakia on €299 million, then Belgium and France.
Ukraine condemns Russian diesel agreement
Volodymyr Zelensky accused Mr Trump of handing Russia a gift, describing it as “an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged”. He also said he had been blindsided by the decision to suspend sanctions to enable the purchase of Russian diesel.
The agreement comes amid pressure on the US President over the war with Iran, which has contributed to diesel prices rising from $3.68 a gallon a year ago to $6.28 by Friday.
Mr Trump is reported to have agreed the deal after Mr Zelensky declined requests to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. A US official said: “Zelenskyy is misreading the room. By continuing to hit refineries, he is eroding the goodwill that he has built with Trump over the last six months.”
Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s energy industry have created difficulties for Vladimir Putin, although Russia is understood to retain surplus diesel available for export.
Last week, Mr Trump said an “energy ceasefire” had been agreed between Russia and Ukraine, under which both sides would stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure.
The proposal has been criticised by Boris Johnson, who said the arrangement amounted to double standards. The former prime minister and energy secretary said: “Why should Putin be allowed to destroy Ukrainian energy infrastructure – as well as murdering countless civilians – if the Ukrainians are forbidden from responding?”
Mr Johnson added: “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.”
He said the UK should support Ukraine and argued that attempting to appease Mr Putin would not lower fuel prices. The UK Government has said it will continue to apply its toughest sanctions regime against Russia, increasing the cost of the invasion while supporting efforts to secure a lasting peace.
