"The European Union spent 250 billion USD to buy Russian energy, but the fake news media doesn't want to mention this story. I have always made the right choice for the American people, always putting America first," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on 12/10.

Trump stated he is taking steps to lower high fuel prices, a factor that could threaten the Republican Party's chances in the November midterm congressional elections.

President Donald Trump on the White House grounds on 2/10. *AP*.

The US President announced on 9/10 that Russia had agreed to immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the US and global markets, with an additional 500,000 tons in November and one million tons shortly thereafter. He added that Moscow could provide an additional 3 million tons in a short period, depending on refinery conditions.

His administration also temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel, which were designed to reduce Russia's energy revenue to cut off funding for the war in Ukraine.

Trump's move drew significant criticism. Today, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius described the US-Russia diesel deal as "a disgrace."

"We are not proud of it. It's shameful and humiliating. I am also not sure if it is being implemented or if it is just a political statement," Sinkevicius told Sky News on the sidelines of the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland.

An oil tanker anchored in Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia, on 4/12/2022. *Reuters*.

When asked if he still trusted President Trump amid concerns about his approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Lithuanian Prime Minister replied, "I hope so."

Sinkevicius also urged Europe to strengthen its ability to act independently, "make every effort possible", and "rely on itself."

A bipartisan group of US senators called on Trump on 11/10 to "reverse his decision" on the diesel deal with Moscow, arguing that it could violate a 2022 law designed to help Ukraine repel Russian forces.

"We should tighten sanctions further, instead of undermining these measures by allowing the import of diesel fuel from Russia, thereby risking the loss of leverage, harming credibility with allies, and emboldening adversaries," Republican Senator Jerry Moran wrote on social media.

Thanh Tam (According to Reuters, Sky News, Anadolu Agency)