US Eases Russian Diesel Sanctions Until April 2027 After Trump-Putin Call; UK and EU Curbs Stay in Place
The United States has temporarily lifted sanctions on the sale of Russian diesel to global markets, including the US itself, through April 7, 2027. The US Treasury announced the move on Friday, October 9, 2026, minutes after President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and said they had struck a deal on diesel supplies.
What the US has authorised
The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a temporary general license, reported as General License 135. It authorises all transactions otherwise barred under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations that relate to the sale, delivery, offloading or importation of Russian-origin diesel, including importation into the United States. The authorisation runs until 12:01 am Eastern time on April 7, 2027, roughly six months.
The supply deal
According to reports citing Trump's announcement, Russia would deliver diesel in phases:
- More than 300,000 tonnes immediately.
- Another 500,000 tonnes in November.
- One million tonnes soon after.
- A further 3 million tonnes, depending on the condition of Russia's refineries.
Ship & Bunker reported the total at up to 4.8 million tonnes. Trade press also noted that Russia has had its own diesel export ban in place since July 8, so actual flows will depend on decisions in Moscow as well as Washington.
What has not changed
The waiver only covers US restrictions. UK and EU sanctions on Russian diesel remain fully in force, a sanctions lawyer told Ship & Bunker, and how the licence will interact with other countries' rules remains to be seen. Buyers and shippers outside the US still need to check their own sanctions exposure.
Reaction
The decision is aimed at easing fuel prices and shortages. It has drawn political criticism: Arab News carried a related report that Democrats accused Trump of betraying Ukraine and US allies in the diesel deal. The White House framed it as a way to lower fuel costs. Details on how Ukraine and European allies will respond were not yet available at the time of writing.
Quick Facts
| What | US lifts sanctions on Russian diesel sales |
| When announced | October 9, 2026 |
| Valid until | 12:01 am EDT, April 7, 2027 |
| Instrument | OFAC temporary general license (reported as GL 135) |
| Trigger | Trump-Putin phone call and diesel supply deal |
| Volumes mentioned | 300,000 t now, 500,000 t in November, 1 million t after, up to 3 million t more (about 4.8 million t in total, per Ship & Bunker) |
| Still in force | UK and EU sanctions on Russian diesel |
| Context | Russia's own diesel export ban in place since July 8 |
This story is based on reports from PTI, Ship & Bunker, Deccan Herald and others as of October 10, 2026, and may be updated.