Trump wants 'business with both' Ukraine, Russia after war ends - The Kyiv Independent

Trump means that, after Russia and Ukraine reach a peace deal, the United States could resume or expand ordinary commercial relations with both sides. That could include energy purchases and other business, rather than treating the countries as permanent economic enemies.

His clearest example is the Russian diesel agreement. The first tanker is carrying 40,000 metric tons from Primorsk to New York, while plans call for about 900,000 metric tons in coming months. Trump also said he wanted Russia and Ukraine to make a deal so the United States could do business with both.

The idea is politically controversial because Russia is still facing sanctions over its war against Ukraine. European allies, Ukraine, and members of Congress have criticized the fuel plans. The article does not describe a completed peace agreement, so Trump’s vision remains a postwar proposal while tensions between Washington and Kyiv continue.

Diesel is a petroleum fuel commonly used by trucks, ships, farm equipment, generators, and some heating systems. Russian diesel means that fuel was produced in Russia or supplied through Russian production networks. Its importance here is economic and political, not just technical.

The first tanker is traveling from the Baltic port of Primorsk to New York. It is scheduled to deliver 40,000 metric tons. The shipment follows a supply agreement Trump announced on Oct. 9, and Moscow then partially lifted restrictions on diesel exports, permitting 500,000 metric tons for sale.

The arrival would be notable because Joe Biden banned Russian oil and petroleum-product imports in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The shipment would therefore represent a major change in U.S. energy policy. European allies, Ukraine, and members of Congress oppose the plans because they would circumvent sanctions on Moscow.

The immediate shipment is 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel. It is already heading from Primorsk, a Baltic port, to New York. That cargo is the first concrete delivery described in the article and follows the supply agreement announced by Trump on Oct. 9.

The broader plan is much larger. Around 900,000 metric tons of Russian diesel could be imported into the United States in the coming months. After Trump announced the agreement, Moscow partially lifted its diesel-export restrictions and permitted the sale of 500,000 metric tons.

These figures describe different parts of the developing trade. The 40,000 metric tons refers to the first tanker. The 900,000 metric tons refers to planned U.S. imports. The 500,000 metric tons refers to the amount Moscow permitted for sale. The article does not say that all permitted fuel will reach the United States.

The ban followed Russia’s war against Ukraine. In 2022, then-President Joe Biden prohibited imports of Russian oil and petroleum products into the United States. The decision put U.S. energy trade in line with Washington’s response to Russia’s military actions.

The policy covered petroleum products, including diesel. That is why the proposed shipment matters: it would be the first Russian diesel delivery to the United States since the ban took effect. The new supply agreement would reverse the earlier restriction for this fuel trade.

The article presents the ban as part of the broader sanctions environment surrounding Moscow. Renewed imports have drawn criticism from Ukraine, European allies, and members of Congress because the shipments could circumvent sanctions imposed over the war. The change also comes as relations between Kyiv and Washington face new strain over military support and Starlink access.

Economic sanctions are government restrictions on trade, finance, or business with a targeted country. They are used to impose economic pressure without directly expanding military action. In this case, sanctions were imposed on Moscow over Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Importing Russian diesel could circumvent those restrictions if the fuel reaches U.S. buyers despite the earlier ban on Russian petroleum products. A purchase would reopen a commercial channel, allowing Russian fuel to enter the American market. The article says critics view the shipments as bypassing sanctions.

The immediate effect would be a supply agreement and a tanker bound for New York. The wider plan involves about 900,000 metric tons in coming months. European allies, Ukraine, and members of Congress have criticized the arrangement. The article does not quantify the revenue Russia would receive or prove that every shipment violates a specific legal measure, but it clearly presents the trade as weakening the sanctions effort.

Renewed Russian fuel sales could give Moscow more commercial income during the war. They could also reduce the economic pressure that sanctions are meant to create. For Ukraine, that may be troubling because Russia could continue selling a major commodity while fighting continues.

The concrete example is the tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons to New York, alongside plans for about 900,000 metric tons in coming months. For U.S. buyers, those cargoes would add diesel to available supplies. The article does not say whether they would lower prices or solve a shortage.

The political cost is already visible. European allies, Ukraine, and members of Congress have criticized the administration. Renewed purchases could deepen disagreement between Washington and its allies and worsen the rift with Kyiv. The article also describes broader tensions over Starlink access, Patriot interceptor delays, and Trump’s criticism of Zelensky. It does not state the final military or financial outcome.

Political opposition does not always end every commercial relationship. Governments may separate business decisions from military or diplomatic disputes, especially when energy is considered important to supply, prices, or national interests. Trump’s comments reflect that approach toward both Russia and Ukraine.

The article gives a direct example. Washington announced a Russian diesel supply agreement even as Russia’s war against Ukraine continued. A first tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons is heading to New York, and plans call for about 900,000 metric tons in coming months. Moscow then partly lifted diesel-export restrictions.

This arrangement does not mean the political conflict has ended. Ukraine and European allies criticized the imports, and Washington’s relationship with Kyiv is already strained. The article also says the shipments would circumvent sanctions imposed on Moscow. Energy trade can therefore resume through a commercial agreement while governments remain opposed over war, security, and diplomacy.