Always, America First: Trump Defends Russian Diesel Deal Amid Bipartisan Backlash in US
US President Donald Trump has defended his administration’s decision to temporarily allow Russian diesel supplies to the United States, insisting that the move was taken in the interests of the American people. His decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers across party lines, including several Republicans, amid concerns that the deal could provide financial support to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the media of hypocrisy, alleging that it had ignored the European Union’s past purchases of Russian energy.
“The European Union paid Russia 250 Billion Dollars for Energy, and the Fake News Media doesn’t want to get near that story,” Trump wrote.
Although Trump did not specify the basis of his figure, he appeared to be referring to the European Union’s expenditure on Russian energy imports since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Meanwhile, the European Commission has been working to phase out the bloc’s dependence on Russian energy.
Defending his decision, Trump declared, “I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!”
The reported arrangement involving Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate Russian diesel supplies has raised concerns among officials in the United States, Ukraine and several European countries.
A bipartisan group of six US senators, including four Republicans, has urged the Trump administration to reverse the decision immediately. They argued that Washington should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russian forces continue to kill Ukrainian civilians.
Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas also expressed concern over the move, acknowledging the administration’s desire to reduce diesel prices but warning that easing restrictions on Russian oil could help finance the Kremlin’s military campaign and encourage further violence.
Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back against Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump has suggested that Ukraine should have a new president and accused Zelenskyy of failing to do enough to end the war.
Kallas maintained that holding elections in Ukraine would not be appropriate at this stage, particularly in the absence of a ceasefire.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Zelenskyy over the continuation of the conflict and Ukraine’s failure to hold presidential elections since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The Ukrainian government has cited martial law as a major obstacle to conducting elections during the war.
