Relaxing sanctions on Moscow in exchange for Russian diesel gives Putin an economic opening while offering American consumers uncertain relief at the pump. Iran’s blockade and disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are central to how we reached this predicament. We are now turning to Russia for relief from an energy crisis its partner in Tehran has helped create. That should raise serious questions about the coherence of our strategy. The economic question is equally important: how much additional fuel does this agreement actually bring to the global market? If Russian diesel is simply redirected from existing customers to the United States, those customers will seek replacement supplies elsewhere. Cargoes change destinations, but the underlying shortage remains. The initial announced shipment of roughly 300,000 metric tons amounts to about 2.25 million barrels. For perspective, the United States exports approximately 1.5 million barrels of diesel every day. Larger deliveries are promised, but their timing, reliability and contribution to global supply will determine their effect. An announcement can move futures prices. Sustained relief at the pump requires sustained improvements in physical supply. Russian shipments do not resolve the disruption at Hormuz or repair damaged refining capacity. Additional exports could provide some relief. But we are easing pressure on Moscow before demonstrating that the economic benefit will justify the strategic concession. Our policy must address the underlying threat: Iran’s ability to hold a critical energy route hostage. That requires a clear strategic end state, secure commercial navigation and a durable end to the regime’s capacity to disrupt those flows. Alongside that, we should improve domestic refinery output and secure reliable supply with our partners. Russia and Iran increasingly represent a connected challenge to American interests. Giving Moscow an economic lifeline to manage the consequences of Tehran’s aggression risks strengthening both countries’ leverage over us. American families deserve lasting savings. American security demands a strategy that addresses the source of this crisis.

Ukrainian MP Halyna Yanchenko responds to whether Ukraine talks will produce a peace deal. #Ukraine #Zelenskyy #Trump @HalynaYanchenko

Question: Is Trump’s demand Ukraine give up territory an acceptable price for peace for you? Ukrainian MP @HalynaYanchenko “No, it's absolutely not acceptable, First of all, we are talking not only about square kilometers. We're talking about cities and villages with, people living there with their homes. But in terms of logic, it also makes absolutely no sense if we are talking about finishing the war, then the aggressor should be punished and not rewarded.”