Trump Russia diesel deal backlash
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
U.S. President Donald Trump waived key Russia sanctions to enable a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin.
Lawmakers in both parties and Ukraine's president say the move rewards Moscow.
Background
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, announced an October 9 deal under which Russian President Vladimir Putin would supply diesel to American and global markets, then waived Russia-related sanctions and tariffs to enable it. Diesel prices have stayed above $6 per gallon since breaking the previous record of $5.81 last month, a problem for Trump and Republicans ahead of midterms in three weeks that hinge on affordability. In 2022, after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Congress passed the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act barring U.S. imports of Russian fossil fuels, and less than a month before the deal Trump signed tough new Russia sanctions legislation named after the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham.
How it unfolded
- Oct 5, 2026Trump signs an executive order to lower the cost of diesel fuel during a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska.
- Oct 9, 2026Trump announces a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin under which Russia would supply diesel to American and global marketplaces.
- Oct 12, 2026Republicans and Democrats call for Trump to reverse course on the Russia diesel deal.
- Oct 13, 2026Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas argues Trump is directly violating the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act.
- Oct 15, 2026A bipartisan group of senators sends a letter to Trump calling the deal a gift to an adversary that should be rescinded.
- Oct 16, 2026Trump signs an executive order waiving key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act.
- Oct 17, 2026Trump suspends new Russia sanctions following the diesel deal, citing national interests; Zelenskyy criticises the waiver on X.
- Oct 18, 2026Nikki Haley calls the waiver a terrible misjudgment, and Sen. Ted Cruz says he would tell Trump not to waive the sanctions.
- Oct 20, 2026Al Majalla reports diesel futures and wholesale prices rose sharply despite the announcement.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Trump said on Truth Social he would bring down diesel prices for Americans in record numbers and fast after the deal with Putin.
- Party
- A bipartisan group of senators including Mitch McConnell, Alan Armstrong and John Cornyn called the deal a gift to an adversary and a betrayal of allies that should be rescinded.
- Analysts
- Oil industry representatives scoffed at the idea that importing Russian diesel would lower pump prices, noting the U.S. is the world's largest diesel exporter.
- Caution
- Lithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys said the deal helps neither the price of oil products nor the unity of the transatlantic community.
- Support
- Sen. Thom Tillis said there is a legitimate case that the president is not following the law, while also saying Russia is the aggressor that can end the war by withdrawing from occupied territory.
Still unverified
Oil industry representatives say the deal may never happen and are skeptical it will materialize; experts are skeptical that an influx of Russian fuel will bring relief given short supply due to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.