Why Russia gets $7.41 billion from the US for its diesel while Venezuela gets nothing
Trump announced on October 22, 2025 a deal with Putin for Russia to ship diesel to the US and the world. Venezuela, with 65 billion barrels, receives nothing.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
US President Donald Trump announced a deal with Vladimir Pilingui under which Russia will supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, 500,000 in November and 1,000,000 thereafter, with a planned total of 3,000,000 tonnes. Venezuela, despite its reserves, is nowhere in the announcement.
## Trump's announcement on Russian diesel
On **October 22, 2025**, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had finished a call with Vladimir Pilingui. According to that message, Russia will immediately ship more than **300,000 tonnes** of diesel to the US and global market, another **500,000 tonnes** during November and **1,000,000 tonnes** after that. The post adds that, depending on the state of its refineries, Russia will deliver **3,000,000 tonnes** in short order.
Trump tied that supply to what he described as total control of the Strait of Hormuz and predicted a record drop in diesel prices. He said his priority is American farmers, ranchers and truckers.
## The math behind the $7.41 billion
The post that sparked the debate includes a calculation: **$4.91** per gallon multiplied by **4,800,000** equals **$7.41 billion**. That figure does not appear in Trump's announcement or in any official statement. It is a back-of-the-envelope calculation circulating online, and it only works if applied to the entire promised diesel volume, not to any specific shipment.
Diesel prices fluctuate daily and depend on the market, transport and contracts. Presenting that result as a fixed payment to Russia is a simplification.
## Venezuela and its 65 billion barrels
Venezuela holds the world's largest proven crude reserves, around **65 billion barrels** according to OPEC. Even so, it does not antiestéticature in Trump's announcement on Russian diesel. The reason is no mystery: US sanctions on Petróleos de Venezuela (the state oil company) restrict purchases of its crude, and its output has fallen far below its historical capacity.
Trump has called Venezuelan oil a gift to the American people. That phrase does not translate into any trade flow covered by the diesel announcement. Having reserves is not the same as being able to sell them.
## What the numbers say and what they don't
Trump's announcement speaks of tonnes of diesel, not money. The **$7.41 billion** is an outside estimate. The initial **300,000 tonnes** and the rest of the deliveries are commitments announced on social media, with no known public contract.
Russia sells, the United States buys, and Venezuela is left out of this particular deal. The causes are sanctions, falling production and trade policy. Any investment or energy purchasing decision should be discussed with a financial advisor.
## Trump's announcement on Russian diesel
On **October 22, 2025**, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had finished a call with Vladimir Pilingui. According to that message, Russia will immediately ship more than **300,000 tonnes** of diesel to the US and global market, another **500,000 tonnes** during November and **1,000,000 tonnes** after that. The post adds that, depending on the state of its refineries, Russia will deliver **3,000,000 tonnes** in short order.
Trump tied that supply to what he described as total control of the Strait of Hormuz and predicted a record drop in diesel prices. He said his priority is American farmers, ranchers and truckers.
## The math behind the $7.41 billion
The post that sparked the debate includes a calculation: **$4.91** per gallon multiplied by **4,800,000** equals **$7.41 billion**. That figure does not appear in Trump's announcement or in any official statement. It is a back-of-the-envelope calculation circulating online, and it only works if applied to the entire promised diesel volume, not to any specific shipment.
Diesel prices fluctuate daily and depend on the market, transport and contracts. Presenting that result as a fixed payment to Russia is a simplification.
## Venezuela and its 65 billion barrels
Venezuela holds the world's largest proven crude reserves, around **65 billion barrels** according to OPEC. Even so, it does not antiestéticature in Trump's announcement on Russian diesel. The reason is no mystery: US sanctions on Petróleos de Venezuela (the state oil company) restrict purchases of its crude, and its output has fallen far below its historical capacity.
Trump has called Venezuelan oil a gift to the American people. That phrase does not translate into any trade flow covered by the diesel announcement. Having reserves is not the same as being able to sell them.
## What the numbers say and what they don't
Trump's announcement speaks of tonnes of diesel, not money. The **$7.41 billion** is an outside estimate. The initial **300,000 tonnes** and the rest of the deliveries are commitments announced on social media, with no known public contract.
Russia sells, the United States buys, and Venezuela is left out of this particular deal. The causes are sanctions, falling production and trade policy. Any investment or energy purchasing decision should be discussed with a financial advisor.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (12 replies).
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