FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

Trump Cuts Desperate Deal With Putin to Save MAGA’s Skin

The president turns to an accused war criminal to rescue him from the fallout of soaring diesel prices.

President Donald Trump has turned to Russian President Vladimir Putin to save him as he faces widespread frustration over soaring energy costs ahead of the midterms.

In a surprise announcement Friday, the 80-year-old president made no mention of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine while revealing his deal with the Kremlin for diesel— his solution, apparently, to skyrocketing diesel prices caused by his war in Iran.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump had hinted about the arrangement during his appearance Friday afternoon, where he claimed he had a “big announcement coming up on diesel.”

In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “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!” Trump continued.

The average cost of diesel was $6.27 a gallon on Friday, according to AAA, just slightly down from the record high set last month at $6.52 a gallon. The average price of diesel one year ago was just $3.67 by comparison.

Russia had been facing wide-ranging sanctions since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but on Friday, the Treasury Department also scrambled to lift sanctions to help make Trump’s plan a reality.

In a document posted on Friday, the Treasury wrote that the “sale, delivery, offloading, or importation, including importation into the United States, of diesel fuel of Russian Federation origin” would be authorized through April 7, 2027.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted the move on Friday in a lengthy post.

“Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness,” he wrote. “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.”

He said Ukraine is ready to take de-escalatory steps and said Ukraine “will not set Russian oil refineries on fire if Russia does not destroy our energy infrastructure” and reiterated the belief that the U.S. has the power to achieve 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,” Zelensky warned.

Trump’s post comes as he’s just 24 days out from the midterms. The president remains deep underwater as the high cost of living, including near-record diesel prices, has been a top issue for voters heading to the polls.

Multiple indicators suggest Republicans could face a catastrophic election season with Democrats not just flipping the House but potentially even the Senate in the midterms, as Trump’s approval is at a record low.

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Sarah Ewall-WicePolitical Reporter

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