President Donald Trump’s move to ease sanctions on Russian diesel shipments has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle, raising questions about whether the measure could lower fuel prices or if it provides Moscow with a financial lifeline as its war with Ukraine continues. The administration authorized certain transactions involving Russian diesel on October 9. A week later, Trump separately waived new sanctions and tariffs mandated by recently enacted legislation.
Both decisions come amid growing tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump defended his approach to Russia in a post on Truth Social on Sunday. "My decision on Russia is a very simple one," he wrote.
"I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table." In the lead up to the midterms, Trump has increasingly focused on diesel costs, arguing that lowering prices would help farmers, ranchers and truckers. The decision has sparked debate over Trump’s approach to Russia, with Newsweek readers weighing in on whether the move makes economic sense or whether it sends the wrong message at a time when Ukraine remains under attack. Want to join The Conversation?
Original Article: Ukraine Strikes Major Russian Oil Hub Hours After Trump’s Deal With Putin What To Know: An oil-loading terminal in Rostov-on-Don linked to Russia’s Novoshakhtinsk refinery caught fire following a reported Ukrainian drone strike, hours after Trump announced an agreement to increase Russian diesel supplies to U.S. and global markets. Reader Comment: "Trump's great plan for more diesel getting to the world market is literally going up in smoke. Ukraine has every right to attack depots and refineries in Russia proper in response to the Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants." alan_koppenst Why It Stood Out: This reader backs Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil facilities in response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian power plants.
Original Article: Trump Waives New Russia Sanctions One Week After Diesel Deal What To Know: On October 16, Trump signed an executive order waiving new sanctions and tariffs provided for under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a week after announcing an agreement with Moscow to increase Russian diesel supplies. Reader Comment: "The libs complain about high gas prices but also complain when Trump does something to reduce them.
In reality, the libs will complain about everything Trump does. Trump is using the waiver authority that Congress explicitly included in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 while pursuing greater fuel availability for American consumers." Truth Republic Why It Stood Out: This reader defends Trump’s decision to waive sanctions, arguing that critics oppose his actions regardless of their potential benefits and that the move could help improve fuel availability for American consumers.
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