Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) criticized President Donald Trump’s deal with Russia to import diesel fuel, describing the move as "morally wrong" in a social media post on Friday, Oct. 9. The agreement, announced by the president that same day, involves Russia supplying 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the U.S. and global markets immediately, with an additional 500,000 tons scheduled for November and 1,000,000 tons thereafter. The deal follows a period of rising energy costs and comes weeks before the U.S. midterm elections.
The president stated that the fuel shipments were negotiated during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to address high domestic prices. According to AAA, the average U.S. price for a gallon of diesel reached $6.27 on Monday, Oct. 12, an increase from $3.67 at the same time last year. The Trump administration has attributed energy price increases to a conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while critics have pointed to the war in Ukraine.
Rep. Bacon stated that propping up Russia’s economy is wrong because the funds are used to support military operations against Ukrainian cities. President Trump has argued that Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries have contributed to high U.S. fuel prices. On Saturday, Oct. 10, the president suggested it was time for Ukraine to seek a new leader, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he would be willing to hold elections if a total 60-day ceasefire was established.
On Sunday, Oct. 11, President Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine, claiming both parties had agreed to stop attacking energy infrastructure. However, President Zelenskyy reported that Russian strikes continued against a power plant in Kharkiv and other energy facilities following the announcement. The Kremlin has not confirmed the existence of a ceasefire agreement, and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed doubt on Monday, Oct. 12, regarding Russia’s willingness to adhere to such a pause.
The decision affects the U.S. relationship with Ukraine and its allies, as Ukrainian officials reported that Russian strikes on their infrastructure continued despite the announced ceasefire. Critics, including Rep. Bacon, argue that the purchase provides Russia with capital to fund its military, while the president maintains the move is necessary to stabilize the American economy before the November midterm elections.
Next steps include the scheduled arrival of 500,000 tons of diesel in November and an additional 1,000,000 tons thereafter. In Europe, EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg on Monday, Oct. 12, to discuss the development, while the EU is scheduled to disburse €3 billion in military funding to Ukraine this week. The U.S. midterm elections remain the primary deadline for the administration's energy price targets.