Trump Could Allow More Russian Diesel Into US to Push Putin Toward Peace — But Energy Secretary Says There’s a Catch

President Donald Trump’s Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington could allow more Russian diesel shipments if Moscow moves toward ending its war in Ukraine, describing sanctions relief as “trying to put a carrot in front of Russia,” while the administration targets $45 billion in savings from methane deregulation.

Wright Signals More Russian Diesel Shipments

Speaking Tuesday on CNBC’s Power Lunch, Wright said additional tankers could “quite possibly” sail under Washington’s temporary sanctions waiver. He called the arrangement an “incentive” for Moscow to pursue peace, although he acknowledged that additional diesel would help global fuel supplies only marginally.

The White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.

Trump’s agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin calls for 300,000 metric tons initially, 500,000 tons in November and another million tons afterward. Reuters reported that a tanker carrying 40,000 tons departed Russia’s Primorsk port on October 22, bound for New York.

Limited Price Relief Draws Political Criticism

Analysts remain skeptical. Reuters cited Kpler estimates that markets need 400,000 additional barrels daily to materially ease prices, far exceeding initial Russian shipments. Goldman Sachs projected only modest price relief.

The agreement has also drawn bipartisan resistance. Senators condemned the arrangement as “a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies,” while Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) warned American oil companies against facilitating Russian fuel sales.

Trump Unveils $45 Billion Methane Rollback

At a Lubbock, Texas, rally Tuesday night, Trump said he was “officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations.”

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed relaxing marginal-well rules, easing gas-flaring restrictions and eliminating its Super Emitter Program, which identifies major methane leaks.

The EPA projects $45 billion in savings and additional production of 210 million barrels of oil and 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Potential beneficiaries of the methane rules relaxation include Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) and EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG), alongside the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLE) and SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (NYSE:XOP).

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