President Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel.
Posted by Up First from NPR, Checked
- Sources
- 5 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 92%
Up First from NPROct 20, 2026
Multiple sources report that on October 9, 2026, President Trump announced and the Treasury's OFAC issued a general license temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian diesel, authorizing its sale and importation into the US through April 7, 2027. The claim omits the temporary, waiver-based nature of the lifting, but that does not change the core assertion.
A guest makes this claim. Listeners heard it, so it counts against the post, and on the guest's own record.
What was said
… How is that connected to a series of new criminal cases? Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day. Democrats and Republicans are opposed to President Trump's friendlier stance toward Russia. Senators from both parties are criticizing Trump's decision to lift diesel sanctions. The president said that move was meant to head off high energy prices ahead of the midterm elections. He's also paused sharing military intelligence with Ukraine. In a moment, we'll discuss all this with former US ambassador to Russia Michael Mcfall. …
Up First from NPR · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. NBC News and Politico both report that the Treasury Department issued a temporary general license easing sanctions on Russian diesel on October 9, 2026, at Trump's direction.[3][4]
Supports. Rep. Doggett's press release describes General License 135, which authorizes the sale and US importation of Russian diesel through April 7, 2027, and criticizes the move as a lifting of sanctions.[2]
Supports. Reuters reports that Trump announced Russia would supply diesel to the US and world markets, temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian fuel, and that Trump also issued an executive order waiving key Russia-related sanctions.[1]
Supports. USA Today describes the move as lifting sanctions on Moscow to lower fuel prices before the midterms, and the claim's wording matches the passage's reference to Trump's decision to lift diesel sanctions.[5]
Context. The lifting is temporary and waiver-based, and some legal experts and lawmakers dispute whether the administration met the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act's conditions; this does not reverse the core fact that the sanctions were lifted.[2][6]
Sources
6 sources: 1 fact-checker, 1 primary, 2 tier 2, 2 not rated
- 1Kremlin aide says discussions underway with US to lift sanctions on Russian investment fundreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2Doggett: Trump's Russian Diesel Deal Violates the Lawdoggett.house.gov · primary source · cited for: supports, context
- 3Trump eases Russia sanctions, says Putin will release diesel amid massive price spikesnbcnews.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 4Trump lifts sanctions on Russian diesel, suggests US may buy amid ...politico.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 5Trump says US to import Russian diesel in deal with Putin ...usatoday.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6Sanctions Watch (October 2026)cepr.net · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- Donald Trump traveled to Russia to request that Vladimir Putin release diesel to the United States.False
- The President announced the waiving of sanctions against Russia.True
- Donald Trump signed an order aimed at lowering diesel prices.True
- Donald Trump is responsible for the increase in diesel prices.Mixed
- The Trump administration is exploring lifting sanctions on a Russian fund described as Vladimir Putin's slush fund.True