With potentially disastrous midterms in sight, Trump opts for familiar punching bag

Trump's recent agreement with Putin to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports is largely symbolic, aimed at influencing American voters amid rising fuel prices. The actual cause of the price surge is the ongoing conflict with Iran, while negotiations remain stalled. Goldman Sachs predicts a slight decrease in wholesale diesel prices due to Russian imports, but significant savings at the pump are unlikely. Trump has blamed Ukraine for high fuel prices and urged Zelensky to halt attacks on Russian refineries. Despite Trump's claims, economists note that Russian oil exports have minimal impact on U.S. consumption. The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has been strained, with Trump previously freezing military aid to Ukraine. Polls indicate that American voters primarily attribute rising fuel prices to the Iran conflict, rather than the Ukraine war.