Trump Hands Victories to Putin, Who Offers More War in Return
The gist
Trump proffered sanctions relief for Russian diesel and pressed Kyiv to halt refinery strikes.
The deal could send $4 billion to Russia while Moscow keeps bombing Ukraine.
How it unfolded
- Oct 10, 2026DW reports Kyiv is furious over the Trump-Putin diesel deal, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning the agreement will help Russia wage war for longer. Democratic Whip Dick Durbin accuses Trump of "considering bankrolling Russia's slaughter of Ukrainian civilians," while Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Madeleine Dean also criticize the move.
- Oct 12, 2026A joint bipartisan statement by four Republican senators and three Democrats says Congress banned Russian energy imports in 2022 and that Trump's decision to allow Russian diesel imports "runs directly counter to that law." NYT reports the deal could send some $4 billion of American money into the Russian economy.
- Oct 13, 2026NYT reports Trump proffered sanctions relief for Russian diesel fuel, publicly called for Ukraine to get a new leader, and pressured Kyiv to stop its strike campaign against Russian oil facilities. Minutes after Trump announced the deal, the Kremlin reiterated Putin would not negotiate with Ukraine now, angry about Ukrainian strikes during last month's Russian parliamentary election.