Trump diesel deal with Russia draws warnings from ex‑NATO commander and Zelenskyy criticism

Trump said Russia will deliver hundreds of thousands of tonnes of diesel, prompting a former NATO commander to warn it could fund Putin's war and Ukraine's president to denounce the pact.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:54:24 GMT

President Donald Trump announced on October 9 that Russia will supply diesel to the United States and global markets, a move that a retired NATO commander warned could fund Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called unfair.

What happened

During a 90‑minute phone call on October 9, Trump said Russia would immediately deliver more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and a further one million tonnes thereafter. He added that an additional three million tonnes could be supplied "within a short period of time after that." The Russian government announced a partial lift of its diesel export ban on Saturday, enabling the shipments.

What the reports add

Fox News reported that retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told Fox News Digital that striking a deal with Russia would channel money into "fueling Mr. Putin's continued attacks in Ukraine." The outlet also cited Reuters as the source for Russia’s partial lift of the diesel ban. American Greatness noted that the retail diesel price in the United States rose to $6.32 per gallon in early October, linking the price spike to the deal.

What was said

"And so we are cutting a deal with the enemy," Breedlove said, warning that the money would go to Putin's war effort, as reported by Fox News.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the agreement, describing it as "definitely unfair," "definitely not partner‑like," and a "weak decision by strong partners," according to American Greatness.

How it came about

The diesel arrangement follows months of tension over Russian fuel exports. Earlier Felo coverage noted the UK’s decision to keep its toughest sanctions on Russia after the deal (UK sanctions) and detailed the initial announcement of the Trump‑Putin diesel pact (Trump diesel deal). The context of heightened NATO concerns about Putin’s risk‑taking was explored in a September 22 article (Putin risk‑taking).

Key facts

Trump announced Russia will deliver over 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes thereafter. (amgreatness.com)
Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove warned the deal could fund Putin's war in Ukraine. (foxnews.com)
Zelenskyy called the diesel deal unfair and a weak decision by strong partners. (amgreatness.com)
Russia partially lifted its diesel export ban to enable the shipments. (foxnews.com)
U.S. retail diesel price rose to $6.32 per gallon in early October. (amgreatness.com)

Where accounts differ

Future diesel delivery volumes after the initial shipments: an additional 3 million tonnes could be delivered within a short period of time after the initial shipments (amgreatness.com); the deal calls for 1 million tonnes after the November shipment, with no mention of a 3 million‑tonne later delivery (foxnews.com)