Chris Wright links Russian diesel deal to Trump's search for peace in Ukraine

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the arrangement on Russian diesel exports as an attempt by Donald Trump to find a new route towards ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, speaking in an interview with CNN.

Asked by host Dana Bash why relief had been granted before an agreement to end the war, Wright said talks had failed to deliver peace after four and a half years. He said the president was looking for other approaches and portrayed the diesel arrangement as one of them.

Wright linked his argument to global demand for diesel. He asserted in the interview that Russia currently lacked additional diesel to export and that reducing hostilities or reaching an energy ceasefire would allow it to increase supplies. He presented that prospect as an incentive for Moscow.

Bash challenged him over criticism, including from Republicans, that the decision amounted to a concession to Russia. Wright rejected that characterisation and said sanctions on Russian oil remained in force while the relief concerned diesel.

Trump announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin on Russian diesel supplies to world markets on October 9. The US Treasury subsequently authorised the relevant supplies until April 2027.