Our national security and White House correspondent David E. Sanger breaks down why President Donald Trump struck a deal with President Vladimir V. Putin to import Russian diesel fuel in the coming months, despite having signed recent congressional legislation tightening energy sanctions on Russia.

Our national security and White House correspondent David E. Sanger breaks down why President Donald Trump struck a deal with President Vladimir V. Putin to import Russian diesel fuel in the coming months, despite having signed recent congressional legislation tightening energy sanctions on Russia.

President Trump’s deal with Russia will probably not lower diesel prices that have soared because of his war with Iran and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.

© The New York Times

A bipartisan group of 12 senators called on the president to drop his decision to ease sanctions on Russia’s exports of diesel fuel, saying the deal would help Moscow continue the war in Ukraine.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

Russia has reaped a diesel deal and an increase in U.S. pressure on Ukraine as President Trump’s political needs align with his longstanding inclinations toward Russia.

© Igor Ivanko/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

President Trump’s surprise decision to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel fuel stunned Ukrainian and European officials, who were meeting with U.S. envoys at an exclusive golf club near Miami.

© Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters