US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin
A Reuters/Ipsos poll published Friday found that 78% of Americans blamed Trump’s policies, at least partly, for rising living costs. Fifty-seven percent of Republicans said prices were rising faster than their paychecks, while 68% of respondents disapproved of his handling of inflation. TOI Correspondent from Washington : In a head-spinning, jaw-dropping pivot that could come as a relief to New Delhi as much as a shock to Kyiv, America’s mercurial President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States would buy diesel from Moscow after months of hectoring India to curb purchases of Russian energy to deprive Vladimir Putin of money for the war against Ukraine.
In an astonishing turnaround, Trump declared on Truth Social that he had concluded a “highly successful discussion” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he said had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, another 500,000 tons in November, 1 million tons thereafter and a further 3 million tons within a short period. In an interview with Axios, he called the decision “not fair and not honest” and said it looked like “a happy birthday present for Putin,” who turned 74 earlier this week. The political calculation is difficult to miss. Other recent polling has pointed to a difficult electoral environment for Republicans, with Democrats increasingly optimistic about retaking Congress. The reversal has infuriated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused Washington of rewarding the aggressor while undermining Ukraine’s efforts to cripple Russia’s ability to finance its invasion.
Trump’s decision to facilitate Russian diesel supplies to American and global markets makes that pressure look less like a consistent principle than a policy applied according to Washington’s immediate interests. For India, the episode offers a striking illustration of Washington’s double standards. New Delhi has faced American pressure and tariff threats over its Russian energy purchases. Trump may yet secure some relief for American consumers. But with Ukraine questioning Washington’s honesty, Republican allies warning against rewarding Putin and the midterms approaching, the price of the deal may extend well beyond the diesel pump.
Pointing out that Congress overwhelmingly passed the Graham Act and Trump signed it into law, Bacon said.
“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world,” Zelensky said, warning that Russia would repay the concession with “further terror and perfidy. Asked by reporters about Zelensky’s criticism, Trump responded, “Who said that? When the questioner identified the Ukrainian president, Trump replied, “Okay,” and walked away. “Now is the time to use those sanctions to squeeze Putin’s war machine, not reward a dictator by putting more money in his hands while he continues targeting and killing Ukrainian civilians.”
backlash also came from some Republicans While MAGA simps went into contortions to rationalize the turnaround. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican who has supported tougher measures against Moscow, condemned the deal, saying, “We need lower diesel prices for American farmers, ranchers and consumers, but buying Russian fuel is the wrong answer.