- Exports of oil, gas and petroleum products help finance Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Catch up quickly: On Friday evening, Trump lifted new sanctions on Russia and tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy that would have taken effect under the bipartisan Graham Act he signed last month.
- It came just days after the administration lifted some sanctions as part of a deal to allow increased exports of Russian diesel, as high prices became a political obstacle for Republicans.
Here’s what’s on our radar:
A new justification. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking on CNN and ABC yesterday, called the diesel deal a “carrot” to get Russia to ease its assault on Ukraine.
- This is an “incitement to Russia, that if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, if they can get an energy ceasefire or reduce the conflict so that they have diesel to export, we will allow it to flow into world markets,” Wright told ABC’s “This Week.”
- Ukrainian drone strikes have reduced Russia’s refining capacity. Trump, in an article published yesterday on Truth Social, also presented his recent decisions as a means to reach a peace agreement with Russia.
A new clock. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Saturday that Trump wanted to take 60 days to review the implementation of the Graham Act to assess its impact on the global and U.S. economies.
A relationship that is deteriorating. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly and publicly criticized the diesel deal and Trump’s decision to waive, for the moment, the sanctions imposed by the Graham Act.
- Trump’s message, meanwhile, criticized Zelensky for attacking Russian refineries, “knowing that these attacks seriously harm global diesel markets, including those in the United States.”
Republican divisions. Many Republican lawmakers and candidates, to varying degrees, joined Democrats in criticizing the sanctions waivers granted by Trump Friday night and the diesel deal days earlier.
- Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) told the AP that she disagrees with Trump’s decision not to implement, for now, the bipartisan law named in honor of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
- She is running for a full term after being appointed to replace her brother. Former Rep. Mike Rogers – the Republican nominee in Michigan’s tight Senate race – also expressed concern over the decision, but avoided directly criticizing Trump on CNN yesterday.
- Other Republicans have been much harsher, including retired Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who called Friday night’s decision “beyond irresponsible.”
The lame duck growls. “A growing number of House Republicans are warning President Trump that they are prepared to block further Pentagon funding unless the administration gets tougher on Russia,” reports The Hill.
What we’re looking at: A few weeks before the midterm elections, more and more Republicans are openly breaking with Trump.
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