Midterm-Threatened Republicans Turn On Trump Over Putin Diesel Sell-Out

Trump's announcement of a deal to buy diesel oil - the price of which has skyrocketed in the US, largely due to the stalemated Iran war - already appears to be failing economically and politically. 

A number of Republican politicians, facing a serious midterm election threat from Democrats wasted no time in coming out publicly against the deal, primarily because the Russian invasion is not viewed sympathetically by a majority of Americans. In addition, economists and business executives are saying that the deal will not reduce the price of diesel at the pump for Americans, making the entire exercise, which Trump evidently believed would benefit his party in the midterms, another policy mistake. JL

Emily Smith reports in The Telegraph:

Republicans fighting in the midterm elections have turned on Donald Trump over his diesel deal with Vladimir Putin. Two have spoken out, with another incumbent in a key state describing the deal as a "grave error" as polls tighten before the vote in November. Other Republicans have also rounded on the US president, suggesting his attempts to assuage energy price concerns may already be backfiring. Experts said the deal would have little effect on US prices at the pump. "It's a grave error by the president. People realise that the sanctions on Russia are appropriate when Russia's invading a country and bombing cities at night."

Republicans fighting in the midterm elections have turned on Donald Trump over his diesel deal with Vladimir Putin.

Two have spoken out, with another incumbent in a key state describing the deal as a "grave error" as polls tighten before the vote in November.

Other Republicans have also rounded on the US president, suggesting his attempts to assuage energy price concerns may already be backfiring.

On Friday, the US president announced a deal to buy 300,000 tons of fuel from Moscow in an attempt to bring down fuel prices in the US, which have soared since the Iran war. 

The deal prompted a furious response from Volodymyr Zelensky, who described it as a "gift to Putin". European leaders have also rowed behind the Ukrainian president.

'American energy is the answer'

Dan Sullivan, the Alaskan senator who is fighting a key battleground for the midterms, said he disagreed with Mr Trump's deal.

Nate Adams, Mr Sullivan's spokesman, said that the senator "believes American energy dominance is the answer to high prices, and that means producing more of it in Alaska, for Alaskans, by Alaskans, not importing it from Russia".

When asked whether he agreed with Mr Trump's decision, Mike Rogers, Michigan's Republican nominee for the Senate, said: "No, not in importing it from Russia. I've actually called for a temporary export ban just to try to give some relief while farmers are out harvesting." 

Meanwhile, Don Bacon, who represents Nebraska but is not running for re-election, said: "It's a grave error by the president.

"People realise that the sanctions on Russia are appropriate when Russia's invading a country and bombing cities at night." 

Mr Trump allegedly made the deal with Putin after he warned Mr Zelensky to stop firing long-range missiles and drones at Russian refineries.

The US president has reportedly threatened to cut off US intelligence-sharing to Ukraine if Mr Zelensky does not stop the strikes.

Responding to two drone attacks on Moscow's oil refineries after the US president's warnings, Mr Trump said: "[Mr Zelensky] better damn well stop. I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal."

Strikes on Russian refineries have exacerbated global energy prices, which have soared because of Mr Trump's war on Iran.

The rising cost of living has left Mr Trump under increasing pressure during the midterms.

Announcing his deal, he said Putin would "immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the American and global marketplace", followed by another 1.5 million tons before the end of the year.

"Diesel prices for Americans and, indeed, the world, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!" Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Experts, however, said the deal would have little effect on US prices at the pump.

The deal follows talks between Russian and US officials, including Jared Kushner, that reports suggest ended with an agreement for the US to take a cut in future gas exports to Europe from Russia when the war ends.

The diesel decision has prompted criticism more widely. Andy Burnham reiterated his "complete solidarity" with Ukraine in a call with Mr Zelensky on Friday. The pair are due to meet this week.