President Donald Trump’s decision to reopen trade in Russian diesel has implications extending well beyond American fuel prices. The agreement, announced ahead of November’s congressional elections, coincides with negotiations over Russian energy assets and mounting American pressure on Ukraine to suspend attacks against Moscow’s oil infrastructure.
The US Treasury’s General Licence 135, issued on 9 October, authorises transactions involving Russian-origin diesel until 7 April 2027. Unlike Trump’s public announcement, which referred to specific quantities destined for the American market, the licence establishes no corresponding volume ceiling or restriction confining authorised trade to the United States.
Its provisions permit American businesses to participate in eligible international transactions involving Russian diesel, including associated financial and commercial services. Existing sanctions remain formally in force, but an important category of Russian petroleum trade has been reopened.
The arrangement potentially benefits not only Russian producers but also American commodity traders, financial institutions and intermediaries capable of purchasing Russian fuel and distributing it internationally.
The legal mechanism offers Washington considerable flexibility. Rather than formally abandoning restrictions imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the administration can authorise selected transactions while maintaining the broader sanctions framework.
Congress’s Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 strengthened the legislative basis for economic pressure on Moscow but also provided presidential waiver powers.
General Licence 135 was issued under existing Treasury sanctions authorities, rather than necessarily through those waiver provisions. Nevertheless, the combined framework leaves the administration substantial discretion over the practical application of economic restrictions.
Washington can consequently maintain its declared sanctions policy while selectively restoring commercial relations with Russia. European governments, which have maintained extensive restrictions on Russian energy, have little influence over such unilateral American exemptions.
The timing becomes more revealing when considered alongside negotiations over Lukoil’s international assets.
American investors have been exploring the acquisition of the Russian company’s overseas operations, including oilfields, refineries, storage facilities and retail distribution networks. The portfolio has been valued at approximately $20–22 billion.
Among the prospective investors is billionaire Todd Boehly, while discussions concerning Russian-American economic cooperation have involved Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
An American-controlled acquisition of Lukoil’s international network could complement the commercial opportunities created by the diesel authorisation.
Russian petroleum products could potentially be purchased and marketed through American-controlled businesses, allowing Russian suppliers to retain export revenues while intermediaries earn profits from financing, distribution and resale.
No evidence establishes that General Licence 135 was specifically designed for the prospective Lukoil purchasers, or that Trump personally holds an interest in the proposed transactions. Nevertheless, the parallel negotiations suggest the possibility of an emerging commercial arrangement under which American intermediaries assume a greater role in Russian energy exports.
The consequences for Ukraine could be considerable.
Kyiv has expanded attacks against Russian refineries, fuel depots and petroleum infrastructure, seeking to reduce Moscow’s export earnings and disrupt supplies supporting its armed forces.
Trump has repeatedly criticised these strikes, linking them to higher international fuel prices. His administration now has an additional commercial reason to seek their suspension.
On 11 October, Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, although President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Kyiv had not agreed to such an arrangement.
Ukraine has maintained that any suspension of attacks against Russian energy facilities must be matched by an end to Moscow’s strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure.
An agreement protecting Russian refineries without equivalent Russian concessions would preserve an important source of Kremlin revenue while depriving Kyiv of military and economic leverage.
The immediate political advantage for Trump is apparent. Rising diesel prices have become a concern ahead of the 3 November midterm elections, particularly among farmers and transport businesses. Additional Russian supplies offer the administration an opportunity to demonstrate action on domestic fuel costs.
Yet the six-month Treasury authorisation extends considerably beyond the election, suggesting commercial objectives that cannot be explained exclusively by short-term electoral considerations.
The emerging pattern is one of bilateral economic engagement with Moscow proceeding independently of a settlement in Ukraine. Russian energy trade is being selectively reopened, American investors are pursuing Russian-owned assets, and Washington is seeking restrictions on Ukrainian operations against the infrastructure underpinning those commercial interests.
For European governments, this threatens the cohesion of the sanctions regime. Brussels may continue restricting Russian energy revenues while Washington authorises transactions that restore access to international markets.
The larger prospect is a system in which Russia retains export earnings, American intermediaries acquire profitable commercial positions, and sanctions become instruments of bilateral negotiation rather than coordinated Western pressure.
Trump’s diesel agreement may therefore represent the opening stage of a wider economic accommodation with Putin, negotiated while Russia continues its war against Ukraine and without any corresponding Russian commitment to withdraw from occupied territory.
European fuel markets remained under pressure on Friday, 9 October, despite a decline in international oil prices following comments by President Donald Trump suggesting that Washington would refrain from further military strikes against Iran before the November midterm elections.
Brent crude fell by $1.37 to $102.91 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate declined by $1.09 to $90.40. The retreat reflected expectations of renewed diplomatic negotiations with Tehran, although oil prices remained considerably higher than before the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the latest oil-market developments, Iran is examining an American proposal that could allow the strategic waterway to reopen within a week. There is, however, no confirmed agreement on restoring maritime traffic.
For the European Union, the immediate concern extends beyond crude oil prices. A prolonged shortage of refined petroleum products, particularly diesel and aviation fuel, is threatening to increase costs across transport, agriculture, manufacturing and logistics.
The European Commission has already established a closer system of coordination with member states and the International Energy Agency to address the pressure on fuel markets.
At an Energy Union Task Force meeting on 2 October, officials confirmed that European diesel supplies remained stable, although prices continued to reflect severe constraints in global markets.
The Commission’s assessment distinguished between the physical availability of fuel and the cost of obtaining it. European refineries have maintained high production levels, while importers have sought alternative suppliers to replace disrupted shipments from the Middle East.
A further assessment of European oil supplies published on 29 September found that refineries were operating close to maximum capacity and that stocks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp trading hub remained below their five-year average.
Although emergency reserves remained available, officials warned that continuing disruption could place additional pressure on the market during autumn and winter.
The next scheduled meeting of the EU Oil Coordination Group is 15 October, although the Commission has indicated that it could convene an earlier meeting if conditions deteriorate.
The international response has moved beyond the coordination of existing reserves.
On 2 October, G7 leaders agreed to implement a coordinated release of 100 million barrels through the International Energy Agency framework over four months.
The agreement includes an accelerated release of diesel during the first 20 days, reflecting the difficulties facing markets for refined fuel.
The G7 also called for improved coordination of refinery maintenance schedules and higher utilisation rates where possible, to prevent temporary shutdowns from aggravating shortages.
These measures follow an earlier international commitment, announced in March, to make approximately 400 million barrels of oil available to the market.
Questions remain over how the October measures will be accounted for alongside the March commitments. During a Commission briefing on 7 October, officials said that the International Energy Agency would oversee the process and that Brussels would seek a coordinated European position.
The Commission did not provide figures showing how much oil individual EU countries had released.
Diesel has become particularly important to the European response because it remains central to commercial road transport, agricultural machinery and parts of the industrial economy.
Even when crude oil prices fall, the price of diesel may remain elevated if refining capacity is constrained or supplies of finished products are insufficient.
European refiners cannot automatically compensate for shortages elsewhere. Their capacity depends on crude oil availability, technical configurations, maintenance schedules and the profitability of different refined products.
The situation also complicates efforts to contain inflation. Higher freight charges eventually affect the cost of food, construction materials and other goods transported across the European single market.
Member states are therefore considering how to protect vulnerable consumers without introducing measures that would distort fuel distribution or encourage additional consumption.
The Commission has not declared a general shortage of diesel within the EU, and the available evidence does not support suggestions that European fuel supplies are close to exhaustion.
Nevertheless, the current pressure demonstrates the limits of relying on emergency reserves when disruption affects both international shipping and the refining system.
The prospect of diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran provided some relief to markets on Friday.
However, the physical restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will depend on security conditions, commercial insurance arrangements and the willingness of shipping companies to resume normal operations.
Oil prices may respond immediately to political statements, but restoring established supply routes and rebuilding commercial confidence can take considerably longer.
For European governments, the forthcoming decisions will concern the management of emergency stocks, refinery production and the costs imposed on consumers and businesses.
Even if negotiations between the United States and Iran produce a temporary reduction in hostilities, the European diesel market will remain exposed until the disruption to international energy trade is substantially reduced.
È vero che il prezzo alla pompa sale rapidamente e scende lentamente di fronte a uno shock. Ma è un fenomeno che si riassorbe in pochi giorni. È poi un settore più trasparente di altri. E anche più reattivo nel passaggio tra ingrosso e dettaglio.
L'articolo Prezzo della benzina tra percezione e realtà proviene da Lavoce.info.
Ogni giorno dalle 8.30 del mattino, QuiFinanza vi informa sul costo dei carburanti in tutte le regioni italiane. Il costo medio attuale è di 2.018 per la benzina, 2.262 per il diesel, 0.799 per il gpl, 2.033 per il metano. Per sapere il prezzo esatto nella tua regione scorri in basso per tutti i dettagli di costo. Il costo medio si riferisce al prezzo mostrato dai distributori di carburanti presenti sulle strade comunali, provinciali e statali.
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Abruzzo.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.255 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.023 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.783 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 1.966 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Basilicata.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.308 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.053 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.779 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 1.910 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella provincia autonoma di Bolzano.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.270 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.030 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.871 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.074 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Calabria.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.285 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.035 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.822 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.025 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Campania.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.308 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.048 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.757 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 1.894 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Emilia Romagna.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.255 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.008 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.771 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.032 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Friuli Venezia Giulia.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.260 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.017 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.769 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.144 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Lazio.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.251 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.008 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.766 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.009 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Liguria.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.240 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.002 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.865 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.036 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Lombardia.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.250 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.000 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.766 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 1.956 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Marche.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.242 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.008 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.797 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.059 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Molise.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.283 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.032 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.807 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 1.960 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Piemonte.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.253 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.004 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.761 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 1.972 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Puglia.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.267 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.023 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.764 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 1.998 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Sardegna.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.245 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.013 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.866 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Sicilia.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.278 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.026 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.816 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.136 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Toscana.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.251 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.013 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.782 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.123 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella provincia autonoma di Trento.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.253 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.015 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.809 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.230 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Umbria.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.246 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.011 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.793 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.079 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Valle d’Aosta.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.254 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.009 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.869 |
Questo è il prezzo di benzina, diesel, gpl e metano di oggi 30 ottobre 2026 nella regione Veneto.
| TIPOLOGIA | EROGAZIONE | PREZZO MEDIO |
| Gasolio | SELF | 2.256 |
| Benzina | SELF | 2.008 |
| GPL | SERVITO | 0.781 |
| Metano | SERVITO | 2.064 |
Fonte: Osservatorio prezzi Mimit
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