Key facts
- President Donald Trump announced a deal to purchase 1.8 million tons of Russian diesel fuel over 90 days.
- The diesel deal is projected to provide 14 million barrels of fuel to the U.S.
- A U.S. sanctions bill passed by Congress on Sept. 16 grants the president discretionary tariff powers.
- The bill identifies top importers of Russian oil and facilitators of Russian sanctions evasion as potential tariff targets.
- A reader expressed concern that the U.S. is resorting to Russian oil while paying high prices for diesel.
Readers have expressed skepticism and concern regarding the Trump administration's recent decision to purchase Russian diesel fuel, arguing it benefits Russia and undermines U.S. policy towards Ukraine and Moscow.
One reader, Mark Cary from the United States, stated that the announced diesel deal, which would supply 1.8 million tons (14 million barrels) over 90 days, is a "calculated act of gaslighting" that benefits Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cary argued that this amount is minor, only enough to keep American trucks and industry running for six days, and that the deal sacrifices American credibility and Ukraine for a "pittance."
Another reader, Karl Frost from the U.S. and Germany, questioned the effectiveness of a U.S. sanctions bill passed by Congress on September 16, noting that most Democrats voted against it. Frost argued that the bill does not mandate Russia-related sanctions but instead grants the president discretionary tariff powers with "no meaningful oversight." The bill identifies top importers of Russian oil and facilitators of Russian sanctions evasion as potential targets, but Frost stated the president can make exceptions, rendering the mandate ineffective. He cited U.S. Representative Don Beyer's concern that giving President Trump this power would be an "incredible mistake."
Barry Foster, a U.K. citizen, raised concerns about the U.S. turning to Russian oil, noting his own high diesel prices in the UK. Foster criticized Trump for previously castigating Ukraine for attacking Russian oil facilities, calling them "appropriate targets," while simultaneously imposing sanctions on Russia. He questioned the sudden availability of Russian oil for the U.S., suggesting it might be due to lifting sanctions on the "shadow fleet" or that Ukraine has ceased attacking Russian oil facilities.