What was said
Asked in a "60 Minutes" interview aired on 8 November 2026 about easing pressure on Russia, Trump said: "I didn't lift diesel sanctions. I made it possible for Russia to give, not us, but to the world, thousands and thousands of barrels of oil, of diesel."
Claimed by Donald Trump, President of the United States · news report
Our verdict
On 9 October 2026 the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 135, which authorises transactions involving Russian-origin diesel that were prohibited under two Russia sanctions programmes, expressly including importation into the United States, until 7 April 2027. That is an exemption from the diesel sanctions that includes the US market, so the statement that he did not lift them and that the diesel was not for the US is false.
The facts
- 1
OFAC General License 135, dated 9 October 2026, authorises all transactions prohibited by 31 CFR parts 587 and 589 that relate to the sale, delivery, offloading or importation, including importation into the United States, of diesel fuel of Russian Federation origin, through 7 April 2027.
US Treasury, OFAC: General License No. 135: Diesel Fuel of Russian Federation Origin - 2
Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer noted that GL 135 expressly includes importation into the United States, and that seven US senators from both parties said on 11 October that permitting Russian diesel imports ran counter to a 2022 law.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: OFAC issues General License 135 authorizing transactions involving Russian-origin diesel fuel - 3
FactCheck.org reported that the administration issued a temporary license in October that exempted imports of Russian diesel from sanctions, and that Trump announced a deal with Vladimir Putin the same day.
FactCheck.org: FactChecking Trump's Post-Election '60 Minutes' Interview
Published fact checks
- FactChecking Trump's Post-Election '60 Minutes' Interview · FactCheck.org
People and issues
Our reporting
Checked 15 November 2026. A claim is quoted as it circulated; the verdict comes from the facts listed here, each linked to its source. If you spot an error or have a newer record, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it openly.
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