Trump’s Russia diesel deal and Ukraine decisions strengthen Putin’s hand, critics say
Donald Trump’s agreement for Russia to supply diesel to the US and his decision to hold off on supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles have drawn attention to how his relationship with Vladimir Putin is shaping the war. ABC News reports that the diesel deal undercuts US sanctions pressure; NHK, citing former Japanese ambassador Kozuki Toyohisa, says Putin has used meetings and unofficial channels to keep Trump engaged on Russia’s terms.
Bottom line — NHK reports that Russia has repeatedly invoked the “spirit of Anchorage” to argue that Washington and Moscow should decide how the war ends.
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ABC News says Trump signed new sanctions on Russia’s energy sector in September, four weeks before agreeing to the diesel deal.
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Trump said the US had given Ukraine “tremendous amounts” and got “nothing back other than high diesel,” according to ABC News.
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Republican senator Thom Tillis called the administration’s approach a capitulation to a Russian leader who invaded Ukraine, ABC News reports.
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NHK says Putin and Trump have held one in-person summit and more than 10 telephone conversations, according to announcements from both countries.
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After a two-and-a-half-hour call with Putin, Trump said he would prefer not to consider supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine, NHK reports.
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Kozuki told NHK that Putin uses meeting timing and unofficial channels to keep Trump on board; he said US envoy Steve Witkoff had met Putin about eight times.