With the midterm elections just two weeks away, Republican candidates are facing growing scrutiny over former President Donald Trump’s recent decision to waive sanctions on Russia and pursue a diesel fuel agreement with Moscow. These moves have complicated the party’s message, particularly amid widespread voter concerns about inflation and energy costs.
The diesel deal was brokered in a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a departure from the longstanding U.S. policy of applying economic pressure on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine. Despite the agreement, diesel prices have remained elevated, continuing to strain sectors like trucking, agriculture, and construction, which rely heavily on the fuel.
Several Republican candidates have publicly expressed reservations about Trump’s approach. Mike Rogers, a Senate hopeful in Michigan battling Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in a tight race, criticized the decision to halt new sanctions against Russia. “It’s just not where I would be,” Rogers said during a Sunday interview on CNN, adding that he would have supported the sanctions bill passed in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham last month. Rogers called the Biden administration’s strategy “a little skeptical” and warned against conceding any advantage to Putin.
Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska, who faces a competitive re-election contest, also voiced opposition to waiving energy sanctions on Russia. Sullivan advocated instead for bolstering domestic energy production and increasing military strength, asserting that “hard power” is the language Putin understands. Similarly, Iowa GOP Senate candidate Ashley Hinson signaled support for lowering energy prices but rejected deals with Russia as a means to achieve that goal.
Trump defended his decisions on social media, emphasizing that he sought to avoid pushing Russia “away from the bargaining table,” though he provided no details on any diplomatic progress. Administration officials argue that economic cooperation with Russia could moderate Putin’s conduct and open the door to peace negotiations. However, the conflict in Ukraine has persisted.
Following Trump’s calls for an energy ceasefire, Ukraine paused its attacks on Russian refineries only to resume strikes days later, citing ongoing Russian bombardments of Ukrainian energy infrastructure. On Sunday, Ukraine launched a sizable drone attack targeting an oil terminal and data center in St. Petersburg, an assault Russian media described as one of Kyiv’s largest drone operations this year.
Discussions between Ukrainian officials and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly continue, while debates over U.S. policy toward Russia intensify within the Republican Party. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump’s suspension of sanctions, and Sen. James Lankford framed the situation as a balancing act between pressuring Russia and helping American consumers.
Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer noted the political quandary facing Republicans: Trump’s leadership demands party loyalty but simultaneously exposes vulnerabilities. Zelizer suggested the former president’s approach may undermine confidence in the GOP’s ability to tackle fuel prices or resolve the Ukraine conflict, complicating their prospects in the closely watched midterm elections scheduled for November 3.