GOP Midterm Candidates Split Over Trump’s Russian Diesel Deal Amid Soaring Fuel Costs

Key points

• Trump announced a deal with Russia to import over 300,000 tons of diesel, claiming it will swiftly lower energy costs, though analysts doubt its impact.
• The deal undercuts U.S. sanctions on Russia and has drawn sharp criticism from Republican Senate candidates in Michigan and Alaska, who are key midterm battlegrounds.
• Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick plans to use a discharge petition to force a vote on the 'Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act' to block the deal, with Rep. Don Bacon already agreeing to sign.
• Diesel prices have surged to $6.28 per gallon, up from $3.67 a year ago, largely due to the Iran war clogging oil-shipping corridors.
• Trump’s move escalated tensions with Ukraine, as he called for Kyiv to replace its president, while Ukrainian President Zelensky called the deal 'not fair and not honest.'

Background

In September 2026, Trump urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian diesel refineries, arguing they were driving up global fuel prices. He also considered a 90-day ban on U.S. diesel exports to lower domestic costs, a move that fractured the GOP’s alliance with the fossil fuel industry. These earlier moves highlighted the party’s struggle to address record-high fuel costs ahead of the midterms.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times emphasizes the political fallout within the Republican Party, noting that candidates in competitive Senate races, such as Mike Rogers and Dan Sullivan, have criticized the deal as a 'grave error' that undermines sanctions and offers a victory for Russia. Axios highlights the legislative response, focusing on Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s plan to use a discharge petition to force a vote on blocking the deal, with Rep. Don Bacon already supporting the effort. Both outlets note that energy analysts are skeptical the deal will meaningfully lower diesel prices, which have spiked to $6.28 per gallon due to the Iran war and disrupted shipping corridors. The New York Times also notes that Trump’s move escalated tensions with Ukraine, while Axios highlights Ukrainian President Zelensky’s criticism of the deal as 'not fair and not honest.'

Why it matters

The Russian diesel deal highlights the deepening rift within the Republican Party as it grapples with soaring energy prices ahead of the midterms. The move undercuts U.S. sanctions on Russia and has drawn criticism from key Republican candidates, potentially affecting their campaigns. Additionally, the deal escalates tensions with Ukraine and could impact U.S. foreign policy, while energy analysts doubt it will significantly lower diesel prices, leaving voters frustrated with high fuel costs.

What to watch

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick plans to introduce a discharge petition to force a vote on the 'Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act' to block the Russian diesel deal. The House is not scheduled to vote again until after the Nov. 3 midterm, and any legislation passing the House would still need Senate approval and could face a Trump veto. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the deal or the proposed bill.