Within 48 hours, Russian diesel will arrive in the United States! No Ukrainian president would ever strike a deal with Trump.

Just after Trump announced easing sanctions on Russia—permitting Russia to sell millions of barrels of diesel to the U.S. and the world—media reports revealed that a 'shadow fleet' tanker carrying $60 million worth of 280,000 barrels of diesel was en route to the U.S. The vessel departed from the Port of St. Petersburg on September 22 and is expected to reach the U.S. West Coast within 48 hours. Russia indeed faces rising diesel prices and supply shortages—but even while importing diesel from other countries, the Kremlin continues exporting diesel, essentially choosing to 'tighten belts' on its own people. Those familiar with history will readily grasp this: even during the Great Famine, grain exports continued; diesel exports are hardly unprecedented. In other words, the agreement had already been finalized before Trump’s phone call with Putin—the negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Florida were merely a façade, intended to lull Ukraine and Europe into complacency. European delegation members, upon realizing they’d been deceived by Trump and his aides Witkoff and Kushner, said: 'We were all stunned—we sat there like fools listening to Witkoff and Kushner speak. Yet it was he who dragged us all into the Iran war—a dead-end war with no exit—and now he’s betrayed us… solely to buy a brief, illusory respite weeks before the election.' The Florida talks served, for Trump, one true and sole purpose: continuing to pressure Ukraine. Outlets including Axios reported that Witkoff and Kushner warned Ukraine during the talks that if Kyiv persisted in ignoring Trump’s demands—especially continuing strikes on Russian refineries—the U.S. might halt intelligence sharing vital to the war effort. Trump himself has resumed attacking Zelenskyy and Ukraine, accusing Zelenskyy of ordering refinery strikes that drove up fuel prices: 'He wants to create diesel shortages—not just globally, but for our farmers too.' Though I myself feel somewhat weary—and perhaps overly repetitive—I must reiterate: the root cause of diesel price hikes and shortages is not Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries, but rather Trump’s own cynical 'crying wolf.' Even Trump knows this: when he first blamed Ukraine’s refinery strikes for soaring diesel prices, he also cited the Middle East conflict—the reckless, botched war he launched and now cannot bring to a decisive conclusion—as the primary driver. In early January, Brent crude traded at $62 per barrel—by which time Ukraine had already been striking Russian refineries for months. By October 5, Brent had surged to $102.60 per barrel, and U.S. diesel prices had climbed from $3.80 per gallon (pre-Middle East conflict) to a September peak of $6.529 per gallon. These figures alone tell the story. I am not condemning Trump and Netanyahu’s campaign against the Ayatollah regime per se—but I do criticize Trump’s foolish belief that he could replicate his Venezuela gamble in Iran, and his subsequent panic and timidity when the operation spiraled beyond his expectations—lacking the resolve to see the war through to the total dismantling of the Ayatollah regime. To Trump supporters still standing by him: ask yourselves honestly—what tangible results has this war delivered?

Axios: House Republicans cite Reagan to push back against Trump’s Russian oil deal.

Pennsylvania Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick vowed Saturday to force a House vote to block the purchase of Russian oil—challenging President Trump’s diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Why it matters: Trump has touted the deal as a way to lower fuel prices, but it could also generate revenue for Russia’s war in Ukraine. News driver: Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said he would introduce the 'Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act' and force a vote via a 'discharge petition.' Fitzpatrick wrote on X: 'It will be brought to the floor via discharge petition—and pass by a wide margin.' Don Bacon, a retiring Nebraska Republican Representative, told Axios he has 'already agreed' to sign the petition. Quick recap: On Friday, Trump announced Russia would immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets—with more shipments to follow. Energy analysts remain skeptical that the additional diesel would meaningfully lower prices. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the deal 'neither fair nor honest,' telling Axios it amounts to a 'gift' for Putin. On Saturday, Trump called for Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy with a leader willing to strike a deal with Russia. The White House has not responded to Axios’ request for comment on Fitzpatrick’s bill. Big picture: Fitzpatrick is the latest high-profile Republican lawmaker to break with Trump—amid growing party efforts to retain control of Congress amid declining presidential approval ratings. Zoom in: Fitzpatrick is employing an increasingly common tactic among lawmakers to bypass House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA): the discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures to bring legislation to the floor without leadership approval. Earlier this year, Fitzpatrick and Bacon used the same mechanism to force House votes on Ukraine aid and Russian sanctions; the bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate. Reality check: Fitzpatrick has little time left to pass the bill before this Congress ends in January. The House has no scheduled votes before the November 3 midterm elections. Any bill passing the House still requires Senate approval—and could face a Trump veto. What they’re saying: Another anonymous House Republican told Axios: 'Since Congress won’t reconvene for another four weeks, any prudent member would likely avoid committing too early.' A House Democrat told Axios they would personally sign the petition—and that 'most' colleagues likely would too—but Democratic unity does not guarantee success. The Democrat added: 'Leadership may not want to help him.'

Trump Faces Growing GOP Revolt Over Russian Diesel Deal

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President Trump faces Republican opposition over a deal allowing Russian diesel exports to stabilize global fuel prices, conflicting with new sanctions laws. Twelve senators urge enforcement, citing security risks and harm to Ukraine amidst rising domestic fuel costs.

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