Trump Waives Russia Sanctions for Diesel as 36% Approval Fuels Zelensky Blame
Updated
Updated · The New Yorker · Oct 15
Trump Waives Russia Sanctions for Diesel as 36% Approval Fuels Zelensky Blame
3 articles · Updated · The New Yorker · Oct 15
Summary
Trump waived U.S. energy sanctions on Russia to buy hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel after a call with Vladimir Putin, casting the move as a way to ease surging fuel prices before the midterms.
Zelensky said Ukraine is "losing a strong partner" after Trump blamed him—not Russia—for the war, demanded Kyiv stop hitting Russian energy sites and called for Ukraine to replace its president.
A Trump-declared "energy ceasefire" quickly unraveled as Russia resumed bombardments within hours, and Zelensky said Kyiv had observed it for three days but would no longer do so despite U.S. pressure.
Republican backlash widened, with six GOP senators calling the diesel deal a gift to an adversary, Rep. Don Bacon likening Trump to Neville Chamberlain, and Mike Pence amplifying criticism.
The rupture comes 19 days before the election, with Trump at 36% approval in a Fox News poll and 70% saying he is handling the economy badly, raising pressure on Republicans already battling inflation and energy costs.