Donald Trump had announced earlier this week he had a call scheduled with the Russian leader.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a call (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump has announced he has struck a deal with Vladimir Putin that will see Russia supply diesel fuel to the US. The President took to Truth Social to confirm that Russia will “immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel” to the US. He added that a further 500,000 tons will be handed over in November before another 1,000,000 afterwards. He said: “Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel. Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!
Like the UK, diesel prices in the US have surged to near record-high levels. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average price for a gallon of diesel fuel is currently $6.199 – a 65% increase compared to October last year.
Trump added: “Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Diesel price hikes have been driven by supply issues triggered by the US war with Iran. The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has increased prices of fuel across the globe.
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Data shows that US fuel inventories dropped below 100 million barrels in September 2026, marking their lowest levels in over two decades. They currently lack the refining capacity to process usable diesel fast enough to meet demand.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to produce vast amounts of diesel fuel despite their output dropping by nearly 30% compared to last year. Russia has struggled to process its raw crude oil into usable diesel fuel at typical rates due to Ukrainian drone strikes on its refinery infrastructure.
Trump and Putin have reportedly struck a diesel deal. (Image: Getty)
The Kremlin previously banned diesel exports through the summer to maintain its own supply of diesel. Rationing measures were also introduced to make sure Putin’s war effort could be maintained.
In the UK, diesel prices have recently broken records as they topped an average of £2 a litre. In response, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the integration of real-time fuel prices on Google Maps.
The deal announced by the US President brought condemnation from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who said easing sanctions on Moscow “without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia” was “an obvious weakness”.
Zelensky said: “It plays into Russia’s hands – allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world.”
He added: “Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world. Russia will ‘repay’ the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged.”
Responding to the announcement, a UK Government spokesperson said Britain’s position “could not be clearer”.
They said: “We will continue working closely with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the military and financial support it needs to defend itself. We will also maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK, increasing the cost of Putin’s aggression and supporting efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.”
Trump said Russia will supply diesel to the US immediately. (Image: Getty)
Trump post in full
Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter.
“Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel. Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!
“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
NHS major vaccine rollout for pensioners aged 65 to 74 continues in October
The RSV vaccine rollout started in September.
Adults aged between 65 and 74 years in certain clinical at risk groups are to be offered the RSV jab (Image: Getty)
NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are continuing a major vaccine rollout for older adults in October to protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
The NHS RSV vaccination programme got underway on September 1 and this year is being expanded to include adults aged 65 to 74 years in certain clinical at risk groups. The RSV vaccine has been routinely available to older adults as they turn 75 since September 2024 and was later extended to include all adults aged 80 and over, as well as all residents in care homes in April 2026. But following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), a further expansion this year has now extended the eligibility criteria even further to include adults aged 65 to 74 years.
NHS England and the UKHSA confirmed the RSV vaccine expansion back in July, stating that GPs will offer the jab to those who are eligible from September 1, meaning the rollout is now underway.
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds and while it usually gets better by itself, it can cause severe illness for babies and older adults over the age of 75.
Those who are infected with RSV typically experience cold-like symptoms including a runny or blocked nose, a cough, sneezing, tiredness and a high temperature, but it can also lead to more serious infections like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
The RSV vaccination is available on the NHS for free to eligible groups, which can help reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill from the infection. You can currently get the jab if:
- you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more
- you’re aged 75 or over
- you live in a care home for older adults
But as of September 1, 2026, adults aged 65 to 74 and in either of the following clinical at risk groups will become eligible to get the RSV vaccine:
1. Chronic respiratory disease including those with:
- poorly controlled asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- bronchiectasis
- cystic fibrosis
- interstitial lung fibrosis
- pneumoconiosis
- bronchopulmonary dysplasia
2. Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment.
Confirming the expansion in a letter in July, Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, and Dr Mary Ramsay CBE, director of public health programmes (including immunisation) at the UKHSA, said: “From 1 September 2026, the eligibility criteria will be expanded further to include adults aged 65 to 74 years in certain clinical at risk groups as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).” This includes people with:
- chronic respiratory disease
- immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
The pair set out key points about the programme, including:
- the vaccine used in the programme will continue to be Abrysvo® (Pfizer pre-F vaccine) on a one-dose schedule. Adults who receive the vaccine from 1 September 2026 because they are aged 65 to 74 years old and in a clinical risk group should not be invited for a further dose of Abrysvo® when they become 75 years old
- RSV vaccines can be administered at any time and offers of vaccination should continue throughout the year. RSV vaccination should not be routinely scheduled with influenza vaccination but can be co-administered with the COVID-19 vaccine
- GP providers are expected to deliver a 100% offer to eligible groups, with call and recall delivered at the earliest opportunity
- where community pharmacies have been commissioned to support the older adults RSV programme, an updated enhanced service specification will be issued ahead of 1 September, and commissioned community pharmacies will be invited by regions to enter a contract variation.”
If you’re aged 65 to 74 and have a weakened immune system or long-term lung conditions, your GP surgery will contact you about getting the RSV vaccine and this will usually be by letter, phone call or email.
The vaccine is given as an injection in your upper arm and older adults only need one dose, which should protect them for several years, according to the NHS.
