Kathrine Frich
The timing of the decision carries heavy political weight.
Fuel prices have a habit of driving political tempers to a boil.
When energy costs climb right before a major vote, elected officials usually scramble for quick relief, no matter where it comes from.
But a fresh compromise over energy supplies has triggered a fierce rebellion from inside the president’s own political party.
The wrong answer
Donald Trump recently revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to ship over 300,000 tons of diesel to global markets, including the United States. The Treasury Department quickly issued a temporary license allowing the fuel to flow.
While the administration insists the deal will ease surging prices, key Republicans strongly disagree. Congressman Don Bacon argued that buying fuel from Moscow directly undermines effort to curb the Kremlin.
“We need lower diesel prices for American farmers, ranchers, and consumers, but buying Russian fuel is the wrong answer,” Bacon wrote on Platform X according to Onet.
Other lawmakers pointed out that Congress recently passed legislation to tighten sanctions against Russia. Lifting restrictions now, they argue, simply funds Putin’s ongoing war effort in Ukraine.
Relief out of reach
The timing of the decision carries heavy political weight. With midterm elections rapidly approaching, high diesel prices are hurting truckers, farmers, and consumers across the country. On Saturday, national average diesel prices reached $6.28 per gallon, breaking previous historical records.
Yet energy experts warn that motorists will not feel sudden relief. Economist Ed Hirs warned that logistics and market friction will delay any visible impact.
“Even if everything goes according to plan, American consumers won’t see any relief at the pump before the election,” Hirs told Newsweek.
Refinery analysts also remain doubtful about Russia’s capacity to deliver massive fuel volumes after recent drone strikes damaged its domestic refining infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the easing of energy pressure an obvious sign of weakness. In response, Trump publicly criticized Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and suggested it might be time for Ukraine to choose a new leader who can make a deal.
