Australia does not ‘need or want Russian fuel’, Chris Bowen says, after Trump deal to buy diesel from Putin
News Source
•Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:01:58 GMT
📰 What Happened
US President Donald Trump said he made a deal with Russia's Vladimir Putin to buy diesel fuel. Trump wrote on social media that Russia would send 300,000 tonnes of diesel right away. More shipments would follow in November and later, depending on Russia's refineries.
Australia's energy minister, Chris Bowen, said Australia does not need or want Russian fuel. He said Russia should not be rewarded for its invasion of Ukraine. Bowen also said Australia has enough fuel in reserve. The country had 43 days of petrol and 31 days of diesel, with 51 ships on the way.
🔍 The Backstory
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many countries, including Australia, then placed sanctions on Russian energy. The goal was to cut off money that Russia uses to fund its war.
Trump's new deal is a big change in that approach. It comes as fuel prices are high in the US before midterm elections. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the deal helps Russia. Former Australian ambassador Peter Tesch called it nauseating. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Australia should work with other countries to get oil.
🎯 Why It Matters
Fuel prices and where our fuel comes from affect the cost of living. This deal could shift global oil prices, and many families feel that at the petrol pump.
US President Donald Trump said he made a deal with Russia's Vladimir Putin to buy diesel fuel. Trump wrote on social media that Russia would send 300,000 tonnes of diesel right away. More shipments would follow in November and later, depending on Russia's refineries.
Australia's energy minister, Chris Bowen, said Australia does not need or want Russian fuel. He said Russia should not be rewarded for its invasion of Ukraine. Bowen also said Australia has enough fuel in reserve. The country had 43 days of petrol and 31 days of diesel, with 51 ships on the way.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many countries, including Australia, then placed sanctions on Russian energy. The goal was to cut off money that Russia uses to fund its war.
Trump's new deal is a big change in that approach. It comes as fuel prices are high in the US before midterm elections. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the deal helps Russia. Former Australian ambassador Peter Tesch called it nauseating. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Australia should work with other countries to get oil.
Fuel prices and where our fuel comes from affect the cost of living. This deal could shift global oil prices, and many families feel that at the petrol pump.