Donald Trump’s decision to buy Russian diesel may involve a relatively small amount of fuel, but the political consequences are enormous. For every barrel purchased, Vladimir Putin gains something far more valuable than money: legitimacy.
A Betrayal of a Nation Fighting for Survival
After years of bloodshed in Ukraine, Trump is helping welcome a murderous dictator back into the international fold when he should remain a pariah. The American president may be desperate to bring down fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections, but that is no excuse for rewarding a warmonger responsible for untold suffering.
Every penny flowing into Moscow’s coffers risks helping finance Putin’s brutal invasion. Worse still, Trump has responded to Volodymyr Zelensky’s entirely justified criticism by suggesting Ukraine needs a new leader. What an appalling betrayal of a nation fighting for its survival. Britain is right to oppose this shameful agreement.
West Must Tighten the Screws
The West should be tightening the screws on Putin, not opening its markets to him. Trump has handed the Kremlin a propaganda victory worth infinitely more than the diesel itself.
