Business & Politics · 4 Beginner · October 10, 2026

Trump and Russia Make a Diesel Deal

Photo: Wikimedia Commons via Wikimedia Commons

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Vocabulary

deal /diːl/ noun

an agreement between two sides to do something

The United States and Russia made a deal to trade diesel.

diesel /ˈdiːzəl/ noun

a type of fuel used in trucks and some cars

Diesel prices are high, and many people worry about the cost.

tonnes /tʌnz/ noun

a unit of weight; one tonne is very heavy

Russia will send 300,000 tonnes of diesel to America.

war /wɔːr/ noun

fighting between countries or armies

The war in Ukraine is very expensive and makes people sad.

expert /ˈɛkspɜːrt/ noun

a person who knows a lot about one subject

Experts say the diesel will not make American prices much cheaper.

pump /pʌmp/ noun

a machine that pushes liquid; the place where you buy fuel for a car

People at the pump pay more money for fuel this year.

Article

Donald Trump said the United States will buy diesel from Russia. Russia will send 300,000 tonnes first. Then Russia will send more diesel later. Ukraine's leader Zelensky does not like this deal. He says it helps Russia continue the war.

Why does Zelensky worry?

The war in Ukraine is expensive for Russia. Zelensky thinks selling diesel helps Russia pay for the war. He wants America to stop helping Russia. He wants America to help Ukraine instead. Zelensky calls this deal a gift to Putin.

Will this help Americans?

Trump wants lower fuel prices for Americans. Diesel costs a lot of money right now. But experts say the Russian diesel is not very much. It will not make pump prices much cheaper. Some people think Trump is trying to help his politics.

Discussion Questions

What does Trump want to buy from Russia?
Why does Zelensky think this deal is bad?
Will the diesel make fuel cheap in America?
Who is worried about this agreement?
Do you think countries should trade with Russia right now?

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