Questions about Trump’s Putin Diesel Deal.
Dear Readers. Here’s what POTUS 47 posted.
“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. 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! Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon!”
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And he blames Ukraine for the diesel fuel record high price in America. Really?
Graphic concept and prompt by Norm Dempsey; image generated with ChatGPT
American refinery output is currently at record highs and the run rate is enormously profitable. We are at capacity. The refinery production in Russia is attacked by Ukraine because it is the vulnerable target in a war Russia started and in a war that Russia continues which war now has caused over a million deaths and wounded and injured. This is the same Russia that helps Iran and allegedly provides targeting satellite data to the Houthis who are engaged in proxy war as Iran’s ally against Saudi Arabia.
Note that the high cost of diesel fuel worldwide is attributable to the tanker shipping costs because tankers are targeted, and the war risk insurance premiums are higher by huge multiples of the pre-war cost.
IMO, this political grandstanding Trump-Putin deal will have very little impact on diesel fuel prices. And it resembles a “bargain with the devil” IMO.
Meanwhile the Trump announcement of “no bombing” until after the midterms gives Iran more time to build and hide missile and drone manufacturing capabilities.
IMO, the US defense/war policy is now a mess. The War Secretary Hegseth’s publicly stated execution policy is a distraction from the reality of his repeated failures. Republican Congressman Massie promises to introduce his Hegseth impeachment bill which Speaker Johnson avoided by adjourning the House to avoid the impeachment process.
In the lame duck session, the House will have to reconvene. Massie will get his vote. It will be after the midterms. IMO, a Hegseth impeachment bill will pass the House, and the Senate could find a 2/3 vote to confirm it.
Halloween is coming soon and the midterms immediately after. We are watching a “horror show” in American politics and policy, IMO. The second act follows the midterms and the intermission is brief.
Meanwhile Putin shoots ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s hospitals and infrastructure while Ukraine has outmaneuvered Russia on the battlefield and defeated Russia’s Donetsk fortress belt attack.
And there we are in mid-October. Welcome to the early version of Halloween. Is Putin a trick or a treat?
We’ll close where Vincentius Liong/Leong offers this treat of a post and illustration along with his own substantial reading list on LinkedIn. See our reading list below.
Reading List
The GOP’s Affordability Boomerang
POLITICO Playbook | October 10, 2026
Republicans and President Donald Trump are running out of time to change voters’ minds about the affordability challenges facing American households.
Trump’s Diesel Agreement with Putin Accused of Contradicting Russia Sanctions Law
CNBC | October 9, 2026
Commentators and critics highlight apparent contradictions between the new diesel agreement and previous U.S. efforts to restrict Russian oil sales.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR | October 11, 2026
A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed on October 11 that it is odd that the news about the ceasefire came from Washington instead of the Kremlin or Ukraine.
Kotok: It’s impossible to know what is true in this Putin Trump diesel story.
Is the Trump-Putin Diesel Deal a Trap for Ukraine?
Ryan McBeth on Substack | October 12, 2026
Why is Russian President Vladimir Putin willing to sell the United States diesel that Russia desperately needs at home? Could the agreement be an attempt to drive a wedge between the United States and Ukraine?
David values thoughtful, reasoned, constructive responses from readers. To contact him, please send an email. The subject line should read “Response to [title of commentary].”
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