Trump reportedly sees Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries as aimed at hurting Republicans in midterms
The Atlantic reports, citing unnamed sources in Trump's circle, that US President Donald Trump has convinced himself that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries are partly intended to undermine the Republican Party's chances in next month's midterm elections. Trump has directed all his public criticism at the Ukrainian strikes while downplaying Russian attacks on Ukraine, and his aides have reportedly threatened to halt weapons sales if Ukraine does not stop. Midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, with a new Congress beginning work on January 3.
Key points
- The Atlantic reports, citing three people from Trump's circle, that Trump believes Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries are partly intended to hurt Republicans in the midterms and, by extension, himself.
- Trump directs all criticism at Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and blames them for rising energy prices, while downplaying Russian strikes on Ukraine.
- Hours after a Russian drone strike on a park killed six people, including two children, Trump said Russia "isn't doing that much."
- Trump's aides have reportedly threatened to halt weapons sales if Ukraine does not stop strikes on Russian diesel facilities, and his administration has delayed approving missile transfers needed for Ukraine's defense.
- Ukraine no longer has full access to the Starshield satellite system and is not always warned about ballistic attacks, reducing its ability to defend against new Russian jet-powered drones.
- Representatives of both parties predict Democrats will gain a House majority in November; the fight for the Senate is described as unpredictable.
- Trump's approval rating stands at 33% before the midterms, with 66% disapproving and 52% strongly disapproving.
Why it matters
The reporting documents alleged US pressure on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, reportedly including threats to suspend weapons sales. With midterms weeks away and Trump's approval at 33%, the stakes for Ukraine are concrete: delayed missile transfers, restricted access to Starshield, and an administration publicly downplaying Russian attacks on civilians while criticizing Ukraine. A new Congress that could reshape Ukraine-related policy is set to begin work on January 3.
What happened
The Atlantic reported, citing three unnamed people from his entourage, that US President Donald Trump has convinced himself Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries are partly intended to undermine the Republican Party's chances in the midterm elections and consequently his own. Trump has directed all of his public criticism at the Ukrainian strikes, blaming them for rising energy prices, and hours after a Russian drone strike killed six people, including two children, in a Ukrainian park, he said Russia "isn't doing that much." His aides have reportedly threatened to halt weapons sales if Ukraine does not stop strikes on Russian diesel facilities, and his administration has delayed approving missile transfers Ukraine needs for defense. Ukraine has also lost full access to the Starshield satellite system and is not always warned about ballistic attacks, weakening defenses against new Russian jet-powered drones. The Trump administration is publicly demanding an energy ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Where reporting differs
The two Ukrainian sources differ on how to characterize the underlying cause Trump is said to ignore. One frames it as Iran's ability to challenge the US and block the Strait of Hormuz, while the other attributes the rise in oil and gas prices to Trump's war in Iran more broadly and the resulting energy market effects.
Background
Trump has been demanding an energy ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war and in early October even announced one, although there was no reported basis for it. His administration had earlier signed a sanctions bill advanced in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, but several Republican members have criticized his attempts to derail its progress. A Russian drone strike on a Ukrainian park killed six people, including two children, and a photograph of one of them — a one-year-old girl in a stroller — went viral worldwide. The new US Congress is scheduled to begin work on January 3, after which a different balance of power between Republicans and Democrats could alter Ukraine-related policy. The fight for control of the Senate is described as unpredictable.