President Donald Trump announced a diesel fuel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday as part of an effort to lower energy prices ahead of midterm elections, but the initiative has faced immediate backlash and shown limited early results.
Trump ordered the Treasury Department to suspend US restrictions on Russian diesel sales to global markets, touting the agreement on Truth Social as bringing "lower prices for Americans." The move targets high energy costs that have frustrated voters, particularly in midwestern agricultural states reliant on diesel for farm machinery and transportation.
Two days later, Trump announced an energy ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine on social media. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he received no advance notice of the arrangement, though he said Ukraine would abide by it. Russia did not comment but launched a new wave of attacks on Ukrainian power plants on Sunday night. Zelensky later noted dryly: "It's clear that Putin does not read Truth Social."
Congressional Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the diesel deal. Four Republican senators signed a letter calling on Trump to "immediately reverse course," stating that Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin's war in Ukraine. They argued Trump's decision "runs directly counter to that law."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the diesel deal as undermining European peace and stability while helping Russia finance its "illegal, unjustifiable war against Ukraine," though he offered support for the energy ceasefire concept.
The announced ceasefire has produced little effect on diesel prices, which remain above $6 per gallon despite sitting below record highs. Polls indicate American voters view the Iran War as the primary cause of high energy costs, and Trump's overall approval rating has dropped significantly.
Trump has alternated between blaming Russia and Ukraine for the continuing conflict he previously said would be simple to resolve. In recent days, he has primarily criticized Zelensky, suggesting Ukraine get a new president and reportedly threatening to cut off arms sales and intelligence sharing unless Zelensky halts strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Separate violence in the Middle East threatens to further strain global energy markets. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia over the weekend, including strikes on airports and energy infrastructure, killed at least 13 people and risked escalating a decade-long conflict.