Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin will barely touch fuel prices, but it hands the Kremlin fresh revenue while Russian strikes keep hitting Ukraine’s cities and energy system. Even the 12 US senators opposing it say the deal will have a negligible impact on fuel prices. Europe must not follow Washington’s lead, and must use this moment to close its own remaining Russian energy loopholes.
European leaders have already pushed back. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said copying the deal was “out of the question” for Europe, and on Monday EU foreign ministers adopted the largest-ever package of EU sanctions listings, targeting almost 1,600 individuals and entities in Russia’s military-industrial complex. But gaps remain: EU firms can still ship Russian LNG to buyers outside the EU, and a decision on banning LNG tanker sales to Russia is due by 25 October.
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, said:
“While Washington throws Putin a diesel deal, Europe has shown it can hold the line, and it must keep doing so. Every cargo of Russian LNG and every barrel of Russian diesel is paid for twice: once by consumers, and again on the front lines of Ukraine, in the lives lost by my people courageously defending us against Russian aggression. Trump’s deal will not bring gas pump prices down, but it will undermine the sanctions key goal of restricting Russian energy exports that put fresh cash into the Kremlin’s war chest, funding the missiles falling on Ukrainian homes every day. The quickest way to end this war is to dry up Russia’s war budget. To stand with Ukraine, the EU must ban the sale of LNG tankers to Russia this month, stop EU companies carrying Russian LNG anywhere in the world, and end Russian gas and oil imports for good in 2027. Real energy security will never come from a dictator’s refineries. It comes from cheaper, homegrown renewables that no tyrant can switch off.”
Summary and calls to action
Trump has also attacked Europe’s own record, claiming that the EU paid Russia 250 billion dollars for energy. The strongest answer is for Europe to finish the job it has started. Under Regulation (EU) 2026/261, the EU’s full ban on Russian LNG imports takes effect from the end of 2026, and the Commission estimates that its Electrification Action Plan could save €260 billion per year in fossil fuel imports.
To stand strong with Ukraine, the EU must:
- Hold firm on sanctions and rule out any deal that eases restrictions on Russian oil, diesel or LNG gas.
- Bring in the full ban on LNG tanker sales to Russia at the review due by 25 October.
- Scrap the exemption that still lets EU operators transport Russian LNG to buyers outside the EU in 2027
- Deliver the full Russian gas and oil imports ban without delay, and accelerate cheaper, homegrown and resilient renewable power to replace it.
