U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to waive some sanctions on Russia, saying the move could help ease a global diesel shortage and encourage Moscow to reduce its war efforts in Ukraine.
Wright made the remarks during a Sunday interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.” He argued that the waiver was a strategic step designed to pressure Russia rather than offer relief to President Vladimir Putin.
Trump signed a sanctions package into law in September. The measures targeted Russian officials and parts of the country’s economy as Washington sought to increase pressure over Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Last week, however, Trump issued an executive order waiving the new sanctions, other restrictions and some duties on Russia. The decision drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and lawmakers from both major U.S. political parties.
Wright said the waiver was limited to Russian diesel exports. He argued that Moscow had struggled to export diesel in recent weeks because it lacked enough supply.
“President Trump waived sanctions just on diesel exports, and what’s the one thing Russia has not been able to export over the last month or so? Diesel, because they’re short of diesel,” Wright said.
The energy secretary said the policy could address two issues at once: the shortage of diesel in global markets and the continuing conflict in Ukraine.
According to Wright, Russia would need to reduce its military activity or agree to an energy ceasefire to produce enough additional diesel for export. He suggested that allowing some sales could give Moscow a reason to change its approach to the war.
“This is not going soft on Russia. This is an incentive to end the war,” Wright said.
The argument comes as fuel prices have risen sharply in many parts of the world. Disruptions linked to the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran have placed further pressure on energy supplies and shipping routes.
Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after surprise attacks by the United States and Israel in February. The waterway is a major route for global oil and fuel shipments, including diesel. Disruptions there have contributed to concerns about supplies and prices.
Last week, the International Energy Agency warned that the diesel shortage could continue into 2027. The outlook has added urgency to efforts to secure fuel supplies, even as governments face pressure over how they respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump also explained his decision in a Truth Social post on Sunday. He said he was trying to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine and did not want to take steps that could push Moscow away from talks.
“I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table,” Trump wrote.
In early October, Trump announced an agreement with Putin under which Russia would supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel for the United States and the global market. The proposal has become part of the administration’s wider effort to address energy supply concerns while pursuing negotiations over the war.
However, the sanctions waiver has faced strong criticism. Zelenskyy said the decision “seems wrong” to him, signaling concern in Kyiv that easing restrictions could benefit Russia while the conflict continues.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis also condemned the move. He pointed to the Senate’s earlier support for the sanctions package and questioned why the administration had chosen to waive the measures.
“Beyond irresponsible,” Tillis wrote on X, arguing that the administration was failing to enforce a law that had passed the Senate by a vote of 86 to 11. He also accused the government of giving in to Putin despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and attacks on civilians.
Tillis said the administration should focus on resolving the Iran crisis if it wanted to lower energy prices, rather than helping Russia increase its fuel exports.
The disagreement highlights the challenge facing Washington as it tries to balance energy security with pressure on Moscow. Supporters of the waiver argue that it could increase fuel supplies and create an incentive for Russia to reduce the conflict. Critics warn that relaxing sanctions risks weakening the pressure intended to hold Russia accountable.
Whether the policy leads to more diesel exports or changes in Russia’s conduct remains uncertain. The administration’s stated goal is to use the limited waiver as leverage in peace negotiations, while critics continue to question whether easing restrictions will help achieve that objective.
