Trump has agreed to buy millions of tons of Russian diesel in defiance of US sanctions law, a win for Putin and a betrayal for Ukraine, and unlikely to cut American fuel prices.

• Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine that Russia broke within hours by bombing Ukrainian power plants; Zelensky learned of it from the news.
• The real goal appears to be cheap Russian diesel, with Moscow promising 4 million tons to the US and the Treasury suspending sanctions until 2027.
• Congress banned Russian energy imports in 2022 and Trump himself signed a fresh sanctions package last month, so seven senators — including four Republicans — call the deal plainly illegal.
• US diesel costs double what it did a year ago, driven by the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the first shipment covers only half a day of American demand.
• Ukraine has knocked out close to half of Russia's refining capacity with drone strikes and has little reason to stop now; Washington is threatening to cut weapons parts and intelligence in response.

Outlook: With midterms weeks away and Republicans breaking ranks, the deal looks more likely to hurt Trump politically than to lower diesel prices — and Ukraine may destroy the fuel before it ships.