Trump seeks fuel price relief abroad weeks before midterms, but events overseas complicate the effort
US President Donald Trump announced a Russian diesel supply deal and a Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire over the weekend, but both drew criticism, and Moscow gave no confirmation of the truce. Fuel prices remain high with Congressional elections only weeks away.
With elections that will determine control of the US Congress only weeks away, President Donald Trump is looking abroad for help in lowering fuel prices. These have become a major source of voter frustration, especially in Midwestern farm states that depend on diesel for machinery and for moving goods to market. Polls suggest voters blame the war with Iran for their difficulties, and Trump's support, including approval of his handling of the war and the economy, has fallen sharply.
The Russia deal
On Friday, Trump announced a new agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin that would supply the United States with hundreds of millions of tons of Russian diesel in the coming months. He also instructed the Treasury Department to suspend restrictions that had stopped Russian diesel from being sold on global markets. On Sunday he posted on social media about an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had not been told about it in advance, though Ukraine would abide by it. Russia made no public response and on Sunday night launched a fresh wave of attacks on Ukrainian power plants. On Monday Zelensky said that if Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire this winter, Ukraine will respond.
Criticism and prices
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney backed the energy ceasefire but condemned the diesel deal, saying it undermines peace in Europe and helps Russia finance its war. Four Republican senators joined Democrats in a letter urging the president to reverse course, noting that Congress banned Russian energy imports in 2022. Diesel remains below its record high but still well above $6 a gallon.
Middle East
The picture is further complicated by Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on airports and energy infrastructure that killed at least 13 people over the weekend. Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told the BBC he expects the situation to get uglier before it de-escalates.
