On October 9, 2026, Donald Trump posted the following on X:
I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter. Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel. Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST! Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Exactly three weeks prior, on September 18, Trump signed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" which sanctions Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving. The Act also directs the president to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas.
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with the following post on X (bold added for emphasis):
Peace never comes through weakness. Today, representatives of the U.S. Congress were in Kyiv – a bipartisan delegation – and I am grateful to them for visiting Ukraine at such a difficult time. They asked: what is needed to end the war? The answer must be strong. There must be sanctions under the Lindsey Graham bill, there must be support for Ukraine in protecting lives, and there must be pressure on Russia for its war. And today, there was a conversation between the leaders of America and Russia. A conversation that leads to something different.
Recently, there was a European decision to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs ["Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list"]. Since then, Russian strikes and the torment of people have only increased. This past week alone, there was a brutal Russian missile strike on a residential building in Pryluky, aerial bombs were dropped on Kramatorsk – on ordinary city buses – and there have been constant attacks on Kyiv's energy infrastructure and on the life-sustaining infrastructure in Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and our other cities. Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds wounded.
The Russians are compensating for their inability to achieve their objectives on the battlefield with this kind of terror. This year, Russia is weaker on the battlefield than at any other point in the war. That is why Putin is relying on terror. That is why he is relying on attempts to strike backroom deals to secure some form of pressure relief for Russia, in order to buy more time and more opportunities for war.
Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness. It plays into Russia's hands – allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world.
Ukraine is ready to take symmetrical de-escalatory steps, and the American team knows our position. Our strikes on Russian oil refineries and other oil facilities are a response to Russia's years-long campaign of terror against Ukraine's energy sector. Ukraine will not set Russian oil refineries on fire if Russia does not destroy our energy infrastructure. This is the kind of agreement we are proposing to America, and we believe the United States has enough power to achieve such a compromise.
Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will "repay" the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. What is needed is real de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis.
We count on America's fair support for our defense of life, for our defense of people in Ukraine – and on the United States having a correspondingly strong conversation with Russia. A strong one, not a weak one.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded on X:
Trump is doing a deal with the devil to try to help his flailing political fortunes from the shockingly high diesel prices caused by his own reckless, illegal war in the Middle East.
This filthy deal will only aid and abet the same Putin who is helping the Iranians to target and try to kill American troops in the Middle East and who illegally and viciously invaded our ally Ukraine.
On October 10, 2026, speaking with reporters, Trump said that Zelensky "could have settled this war many times," but "chose not to. Trump also said:
He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers with diesel fuel because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world.
I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal.
Zelensky posted the following post on X:
What allowing Russia to sell oil products means was heard most clearly in Kyiv just now, when, after repeated attacks on energy facilities with jet-powered "shaheds," Russia launched a ballistic missile attack as well. Some of the missiles were intercepted. This once again clearly demonstrates Russia's true intentions. They count on prolonging the war, terrorizing ordinary people, and destroying infrastructure.
Every additional billion dollars they can earn from exports will be spent on nothing but sourcing and importing critical components and equipment to manufacture weapons, upgrading "shaheds," producing missiles, and recruiting even more mercenaries to fight at the front. Russia's choice is war. And they will be ready to end it only when they feel that their ability to drag the war out is diminishing.
Unfortunately, the signals Russia received yesterday were entirely different – signals suggesting that it could simply keep attacking. And this needs to be corrected. Strong signals are needed from the United States, Europe, and other partners – signals in support of Ukraine and to RESTRICT Russia's ability to wage war and terrorize people. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!
Commentary:
It's obvious that Trump is choosing to do this right now because polling shows Republicans will lose control of the House and possibly even the Senate in next month's election. It's another pathetic attempt by Trump to sway the results of the election (like his pitch to send $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans maintain control of both the House and Senate), but this action has a direct impact on Ukraine — a country that has been ravaged by attacks from Russia for over four years.
It's clear from Trump's comments to reporters on October 10 (and previous statements Trump has made) that he's not a big fan of Zelensky. Trump made this agreement with Russia in part to punish Zelensky. Trump thinks that Zelensky should have made a deal to end the war a long time ago. But Trump is not the president of a country that was invaded by Russia. Let's not forget that Russia is the aggressor, not Ukraine. Do you think Trump would have the same perspective if he was the president of a country that was invaded by Russia?
What's absolutely mind-blowing is the fact that just three weeks ago Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 and now he is doing something that directly contradicts the intent of that Act. Yes, it's hypocrisy, but it's also taking a knife and stabbing Ukraine in the back, right after the signing of the Act reassured Ukraine that America was their friend.
Russia is an ally of Iran. Russia has been aiding Iran in its war with the U.S. Now, you make an agreement to allow Russia to take in millions and millions of additional dollars to allow them to give even more assistance to Iran, and those same additional dollars will allow Russia to keep making more missiles and drones to attack Ukraine?
TRUMP'S AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.
Once again, this is Trump capitulating to Putin, who we all know he reveres.
Once again, this is Trump doing what's politically expedient in the moment, regardless of the longer-term consequences.
It's "B-squared F" (beyond, beyond FUBAR).