Fuel prices rose to 6.35 dollars per gallon despite government expectations
Following the announcement of agreements on importing diesel fuel from Russia, the average cost in the US rose by 7 cents to 6.35 dollars per gallon. Despite public statements by Donald Trump, the market did not respond with the expected price drop. This was reported by Glavcom citing The Wall Street Journal, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
On October 9, 2026, Donald Trump announced an agreement with the Russian side regarding fuel supplies. In total, the plan was to ship over 300,000 tons in October, with subsequent volume increases of 500,000 tons in November and one million tons in the future.
Logistical challenges and supply volumes
Recently, a tanker carrying about 300,000 barrels of diesel departed from the Russian port of Primorsk. Originally intended for New York, the vessel’s destination was later changed to “at disposal” with no specific port named.
Analysts are skeptical about the deal’s ability to significantly impact pricing. They point to the poor technical condition of Russian refining facilities and existing export restrictions as key limiting factors.
Criticism and market effectiveness
The fuel volumes envisioned by the agreement appear insignificant compared to historical figures. Planned supplies are estimated at 100,000 to 125,000 barrels per day, whereas last year’s daily Russian exports reached 800,000 barrels.
Donald Trump’s decision not to apply sanctions under the Graham Act sparked a reaction from Ukrainian leadership. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the move a “sanctions blackout,” noting that the easing of pressure on Moscow coincides with large-scale strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Illustrative photo: Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 3.0
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