Trump proposes Russian diesel sales as US prices surge, Norway warns EU to boost Ukraine aid

Donald Trump opened the prospect of a sanctions gap that would let Russia sell diesel to the United States, citing soaring fuel costs ahead of the November mid-term elections. Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide told a security conference in Warsaw that the modest amount of Russian diesel available would have little impact on US prices and that Russia itself is strained for fuel for both its war effort and civilian needs.

He condemned the proposal as a step in the wrong direction and emphasized that it would not alter the broader energy market. The discussion also touched on a contested energy-weapon ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyj said had not been discussed with Kyiv, though he was willing to consider it if Russia halted attacks on Ukrainian power and water supplies. In reaction, EU members added 1,500 new individuals to sanctions lists, and European officials, including German foreign minister Johann Wadephul, affirmed that European backing for Ukraine remains stronger than ever. Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski rejected a U.S. offer to release frozen Russian assets in exchange for a ceasefire, calling it unacceptable.