Stupid deal that only helps Russia…

And there are analysts a lot smarter than you who see this deal as it is…short sighted and ignorant.

• A Drop in the Bucket: The initial volumes (equal to roughly 6 million barrels combined for the early tranches) cover only about a day and a half of total U.S. demand.
• Severe Global Shortages: Ongoing disruptions in the Middle East (such as the U.S.–Iran war impacting the Strait of Hormuz) and Ukrainian drone strikes that have reduced Russian refinery output by roughly 30% mean global supply is severely tight.
• Grade Mismatch: Energy analysts note that Russia is primarily trying to offload summer-grade diesel rather than the heavier winter or arctic grades required in the U.S. and Europe as colder months approach.
• Expert Consensus: Market researchers (such as Commodity Context and Wood Mackenzie) have characterized the deal as a minor, temporary stream for a tight market rather than a structural fix, warning that it will only take the edge off prices rather than drive them down significantly. You can read more about how sanctions relief impacts fuel trends via Forbes.