McConnell Slams Trump for 'Coddling' Putin, Says Russian Diesel Deal Unlikely to Lower Fuel Prices

Senator Mitch McConnell warned that President Donald Trump's accommodation of Russian President Vladimir Putin could prolong the conflict in Ukraine. He also questioned whether a deal with Putin could lower diesel prices.

In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, McConnell wrote that Trump's attempt to end the war by "coddling" Putin and limiting aid to Kyiv is "doomed to fail."

The Kentucky Republican, who chairs the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, specifically criticized Trump's agreement to import hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel into the United States.

McConnell said the proposed supply would do "little" to lower prices.

He also dismissed Trump's claim that Russia has "been very good" on Ukraine following reported violations of an energy ceasefire. McConnell wrote: "It is factually wrong, strategically naive, and morally bankrupt."

McConnell warned that withholding U.S. security and intelligence assistance, as well as cutting off access to critical satellite communications, would not substantially weaken Ukraine's resolve to defend itself but could give Putin battlefield gains previously out of reach. "This could prolong the war, not shorten it," he said.

Russian Diesel Deal Faces Price and Legal Risks

The criticism comes as the first Russian diesel shipments since 2022 head to the U.S. under the Trump-Putin deal. The Malta-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes loaded 40,000 tons of diesel on Thursday. Shipping data cited by Reuters shows the tanker is expected to arrive in New York on November 7. The administration is seeking diesel imports to ease fuel cost pressures ahead of the midterm elections.

Bank of America commodity strategist Francisco Blanch expects Russian diesel imports to have minimal impact on prices due to domestic supply shortages in Russia. He views any decline in distillate prices as a buying opportunity.

According to AAA data, the average diesel price on Monday was $6.3521 per gallon, up $0.032 from the previous week's average.

Meanwhile, the arrangement has triggered legal warnings. On Monday, Representative Jamie Raskin warned U.S. oil companies that despite eased sanctions, participation could expose them to criminal and civil liability, writing: "Your members are now on notice." Raskin called participation a "clear and dangerous violation of federal law" and said companies "will undoubtedly be held to the fullest extent of the law."