Republicans push back on Trump's wavering Ukraine support over Russia diesel deal and sanctions pause

Summary

A handful of Republicans have criticised Donald Trump's softening stance on Russia and threatened to pull financial support for his agenda over what they call his "embarrassing" handling of the Ukraine war. Outgoing Nebraska congressman Don Bacon condemned Trump's actions, including an agreement to buy Russian diesel and a pause in sanctions on Moscow, calling them "absolutely disgraceful" and accusing the president of cozying up to a "war criminal" in Vladimir Putin.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   20 Oct 2026, 17:32 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that a handful of Republicans have criticised Trump's softening stance on Russia, threatening to pull financial support for his agenda, and that Bacon called Trump's Russian diesel deal and sanctions pause "absolutely disgraceful."