▲ U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a so-called "diesel deal" with Russian President Vladimir Putin to address high oil prices ahead of the midterm elections has triggered fierce backlash from the opposition Democratic Party.
According to U.S. congressional media outlet The Hill on the 10th (local time), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) posted on X, formerly Twitter, immediately following President Trump's announcement the previous day, writing, "Trump is making a deal with the devil to save his faltering political fortunes."
Schumer added, "This dirty deal will only help Iran kill American service members in the Middle East and aid and abet Putin, who has launched an illegal and brutal invasion of our ally Ukraine."
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Judiciary and Armed Services Committees, also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the diesel deal, stating, "This transparent attempt to mitigate the chaos caused by the illegal war on Iran will only benefit the Chinese and Russian economies and lead to the slaughter of more innocent people in Ukraine."
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) pointed out, "Following the spike in oil prices caused by Trump's war in Iran, the president is now considering funding Russia's slaughter of Ukrainian civilians," noting that "lifting sanctions on Russia only fuels Putin's war machine and prolongs the conflict in Ukraine."
Representative Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) also criticized on X, writing, "Desperate to escape the fallout of his failed war in Iran, Trump is preparing to stab Ukraine in the back and buy Putin's diesel," and adding, "He is funding Russia's war machine while our allies pay the price."
In contrast, conservative media commentator and newly appointed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Trump's decision during an appearance on Fox News.
Leavitt, who is set to officially begin her duties as press secretary on the 12th, said, "President Trump knows that people are unhappy with gas prices and unhappy with rising grocery prices, and as he always does, he is providing a solution," adding, "While there is some discontent, President Trump has never been ambiguous."
She further emphasized, "Through this agreement, he is putting America's interests first and Americans first, and this diesel deal will allow us to enjoy cheaper gasoline and groceries."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.