Facing criticism over the diesel deal with Russia, US President Donald Trump defended a deal to release Russian diesel into global markets, saying it is intended to ease high fuel prices and is not meant for the United States. Trump said last Friday that Russia will supply more than 3 lakh tons of diesel, followed by 5 lakh tons in November and 1 million tons thereafter. The US Treasury Department issued a temporary license easing sanctions on Russian diesel shipments until April 7, 2027.