Page A209From§Eachthe morning edition — 11 October 2026
NEWS TO ME
As it ran on the front
I filled up Thursday. Forty-one dollars for three-quarters of a tank, diesel, because the truck takes diesel and I don't get a vote on that. I did not complain to the kid running the register. I wrote the number on the back of the receipt and put it in the glovebox with the others, the ones from before, the one from Doonbeg.
That one has a date on it. September thirteenth. The president, at his golf course in Ireland, said Zelensky has to do one thing — stop knocking out the refineries — and tied it straight to the price at the pump. The next day, September fourteenth, he posted that the problem was solved. Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian energy targets, he wrote. Russia has agreed to do likewise. I remember thinking, there, in the glovebox receipt, that's that, then.…
…(cont) Except the next day, September fifteenth, he was back on it — rising diesel prices, Zelensky has to stop — which is the same demand restated about a ceasefire he had announced as settled the day before. I only have the two posts, one day apart.
Ten days later, Patriot missiles. Zelensky said Trump gave the final okay to build them in Ukraine, concrete agreements in place. That's cooperation. I note it because it belongs in the stack.
Then October first, the Guardian reported Ukraine still hitting Russian refineries — a facility in Samara, struck overnight — with the midterms named as the reason the timing mattered to someone. The post from September fourteenth didn't name which refineries counted. Did it cover Samara?
Then, on October tenth, the administration lifted sanctions on Russian diesel — somebody had to sign that, it is not a mood, it is a policy — and the president told Zelensky it was time for Ukraine to get a new president, over the refinery strikes. That drew criticism inside his own party. A Nebraska congressman, a former military officer, said the president wasn't fit to lead.
Sunday morning, before any of that reached full print, Zelensky went on ABC's This Week and did three things in one appearance: he called the diesel deal a birthday gift to Putin — his words, to kill us, kill our children — he said he would stop hitting the refineries if Russia stops too, and he offered elections, his country's elections, if Putin agrees to a sixty-day ceasefire instead of whatever this is. That's three positions for one Sunday show.
Then, after that interview had already aired, the president posted it: Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire. No detail under it — the Guardian noted there wasn't any — just the post. And when it reached Zelensky, after the broadcast, not during it, he had one phrase for it. News for me.
That's the whole file, in order. September fourteenth, a ceasefire announced, then re-announced as broken the next day. October eleventh, a ceasefire announced, and the man it was supposedly made with says he is hearing about it for the first time, from a social media post. I keep both receipts in the glovebox now, a month apart. The second one does not contradict a single fact on the first — it is the same sentence, posted again, to a man who says nobody told him. How many times has this exact ceasefire been announced to someone who says he only found out from the post?
Oh — one more thing, before you go. That congressman, the one who said the president wasn't fit to lead — what party does he belong to?
“They lifted sanctions on the same Russian diesel they told Zelensky to stop bombing, then announced a ceasefire nobody on the Ukrainian side signed onto. That's not peacemaking, that's supply management with a press release, and the price at your pump is the actual client here. Zelensky finding out from a Truth Social post isn't a communication breakdown, it's the tell that the deal was never about Kyiv.”
“Look, the president secured a ceasefire — I mean, he announced one, which under this administration's own numbers is basically the same thing. Zelensky says he didn't know about it, sure, but he's also the guy who kept bombing refineries after being asked nicely, so — wait, am I saying the ceasefire wasn't real? That's not what I meant to say.”
Earlier in this story
The receipts
Trump promised to settle the war within 24 hours - CNN counted 53 separate occasions he made that promise CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Rebuking Ukraine Over Oil Strikes, Trump Says It Should ‘Get a New President’Hours after President Trump said the United States would buy Russian diesel, the Kremlin said there would be no immediate resumption of discussions to end the war.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy exclusively joined ABC's "This Week" Sunday to respond to President Trump's latest criticism of the Ukrainian leader.
President Trump on Saturday pushed back on criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel amid the Russia-Ukraine war. The president told reporters outside the White House that Zelensky “could have settled this war many times,” but “chose not to.”
Trump promised he'd settle the Ukraine war within 24 hours of talking to Putin and Zelenskyy - he's said some version of that 53 separate times CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump says Ukraine needs a new leader after diesel deal with RussiaUS president suggests Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not done enough to end war Donald Trump has said Ukraine needs “a new leader”, a day after making a deal with Vladimir Putin to buy large quantities of Russian diesel. The US president suggested Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not done enough to end the war with Russia and…
Trump promised in May 2023 the war would be settled within 24 hours of meeting Putin and Zelensky — CNN counted 53 such promises. CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Zelensky to Trump: Ukraine will hold elections if Putin agrees to 60-day ceasefireUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to President Donald Trump’s calls for new leadership in the war-torn country on Sunday, saying elections will be held if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a two-month ceasefire. Speaking with ABC News’s This Week, Zelensky said the next leader of Ukraine will be decided by its…
Trump promised to settle the war within 24 hours - on 53 separate occasions, CNN counted CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
'Time for Ukraine to get new president,' says Trump after Zelensky condemns diesel dealUkraine's leader had said the deal with Russia to release diesel into the US would help Moscow fund the war.
Trump promised in May 2023 the war would be settled within 24 hours of meeting Putin and Zelensky — CNN counted 53 such promises. CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Zelenskyy rejects Trump claim of Ukraine and Russia ‘energy ceasefire’ – live updatesUkraine’s president reportedly says Kyiv would accept a deal if Moscow does after US president posts announcement with no detail on social media Sign up for the US Breaking News email Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has discussed an energy ceasefire with the leaders of Canada, Finland and Nato and is awaiting details from the US. Writing on…
Trump promised he'd meet Putin and Zelensky and settle the war within 24 hours — 53 separate times, CNN counted CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump and Putin sign diesel deal, angering Ukraine and its alliesThe US president announced Friday that Russia has committed to supplying nearly 5 million tons of diesel fuel to the United States and global markets 'within a short period of time.' The deal has sparked outrage across Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said the U.S.-Russia diesel deal is a "birthday gift" to allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to "kill us, kill our children." When asked by ABC's Jonathan Karl on "This Week" about his remark that the deal helps Putin as a "gift," Zelensky explained that it "gives Putin money and...
US president says agreement needed to lower fuel prices, but move likely to create fresh crisis with Ukraine and Nato allies Donald Trump is on a fresh collision course with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies after his stunning agreement to buy Russian diesel upended years of US and western pressure on the Kremlin to end its war…
Trump promised to settle the war within 24 hours - on 53 separate occasions, CNN counted CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump rips into Volodymyr Zelensky — insisting it’s time for Ukraine to ‘get a new president’President Trump ripped into Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday telling reporters outside the White House that it's time for Ukraine to “get a new president.”
"I'll meet with Putin. I'll meet with Zelensky... And within 24 hours, that war will be settled" - Trump, CNN town hall, 10 May 2023. CNN counted 53 separate occasions he promised it. CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump calls for Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy after clash over Russia diesel deal: 'Get a new president'President Donald Trump demanded Volodymyr Zelenskyy stop striking Russian oil refineries, warning the attacks worsen global diesel and fuel supplies.
Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged".
Trump promised to settle the Ukraine war with Putin within 24 hours - on 53 separate occasions CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump says Russia will release millions of tons of diesel to help with costsRussian President Vladimir Putin agreed to release 300,000 tons of diesel immediately and millions more over the coming months.
Trump promised 53 times he'd end the war within 24 hours CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump says Ukraine needs new president, blames Zelenskyy for diesel pricesPresident Trump's criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy comes after Russian strikes killed at least 20 people, including three children, in Ukraine.
Trump promised to settle the war within 24 hours - on 53 separate occasions, CNN counted CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump says Ukraine needs ‘a new leader who can make a deal’President Donald Trump on Saturday called for new leadership in Ukraine, marking a dramatic shift in the United States’s relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump has long pushed Russia and Ukraine to make a deal ending the war between the countries, which has now stretched over four-and-a-half years and appeared to…
CNN counted 53 separate occasions Trump promised he'd settle the Russia-Ukraine war, including a vow it would take 24 hours CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Trump claims Russia and Ukraine agree to energy ceasefire, but Zelenskyy says this is ‘news for me’President Donald Trump claimed Sunday that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to an “energy ceasefire” as part of the ongoing conflict.
Trump promised to settle the Ukraine war within 24 hours - CNN counted 53 such promises since May 2023 CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Ukraine Shrugs Off Trump Call to Ditch Zelensky for Energy StrikesPresident Trump lashed out at President Volodymyr Zelensky for striking Russian oil refineries. Mr. Zelensky said he’ll stop — if Russia does too.
President Trump on Sunday claimed that Russia and Ukraine reached an energy ceasefire amid the two countries' yearslong war. The announcement came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on ABC's "This Week" earlier in the morning, where he criticized a U.S. deal to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, which sparked a war of…
· Trump says Ukraine and Russia have agreed to energy target ceasefire from the morgue, 14 Sep 2026
· Trump calls out Zelensky over rising diesel prices from the morgue, 15 Sep 2026
· Ukraine persists with Russian oil refinery strikes, defying Trump on fuel price warnings from the morgue, 1 Oct 2026
· Trump blames Ukraine for diesel fuel price spike, urges Zelensky to stop hitting Russian refineries from the morgue, 13 Sep 2026
· Zelensky says Trump gave final OK on Patriot license for Ukraine from the morgue, 25 Sep 2026
· Trump: Russia has ‘lost control’ of its diesel industry as prices soar from the morgue, 21 Sep 2026
· Trump calls on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian diesel fuel from the morgue, 14 Sep 2026
· Britain in talks with European allies over release of emergency diesel stockpiles amid Trump pressure from the morgue, 1 Oct 2026
· Russia’s Lavrov blasts US, Western allies as “warmongers’ in fiery UN tirade from the morgue, 26 Sep 2026
· Russia and China unite against US over Iran and Cuba in UN speeches from the morgue, 26 Sep 2026
· U.S. military lays groundwork for potential action around Cuba from the morgue, 26 Sep 2026
· The United Nations Security Council has resoundingly rejected a United States bid to extend a global arms embargo on Iran. In a Security Council vote, United States only got support from the Dominican from the morgue, 14 Aug 2020
· U.S. Threatens New Economic War on Iran by Targeting China & Tehran's Other Top Trading Partners from the morgue, 25 Aug 2026
· In Defiant UN Speech, Iranian President Says US and Israel Are the Real Terrorists from the morgue, 23 Sep 2026
· Trump slams reporting on removal of his endorsements from GOP candidate's website from the morgue, 27 Sep 2026
· Donalds removes several Trump mentions from campaign website from the morgue, 22 Sep 2026
· GOP hopeful removes ‘Pro-Trump’ mention from campaign slogan in deep-red seat from the morgue, 23 Sep 2026
· Where Trump’s 2026 endorsement record stands after primary season from the morgue, 9 Sep 2026
· U.N. experts say U.S. may have committed war crimes with 2 Iran strikes from the morgue, 22 Sep 2026
· Trump Says 'Big Decision' Coming on Whether to 'Annihilate' Iran from the morgue, 18 Sep 2026
· Pentagon No. 3 frustrates senators in closed-door briefing on Iran war, Trump defense strategy from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Senate Democrats, minus Fetterman, urge Hegseth to provide receipt for Iran war costs from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Hegseth on "devastation" to Iran's capabilities from the morgue, 10 Sep 2026
· Trump admits Iran war will not end before midterms from the morgue, 9 Sep 2026
· Iran War Trump Said Would Be Quick Has Now Lasted 6 Months With 'No End In Sight' from the morgue, 28 Aug 2026
· CBO Finds Trump's Iran War Has Already Cost Nearly $40 Billion—And That's a 'Conservative' Estimate from the morgue, 15 Sep 2026
· Tillis supports Hegseth impeachment resolution: 'He needs to go' from the morgue, 18 Sep 2026
· Massie Files Impeachment Articles Against Hegseth for Illegal Iran War, Boat Murders from the morgue, 15 Sep 2026
· Massie launches effort to impeach Hegseth from the morgue, 15 Sep 2026
· Tillis urges Trump to fire Hegseth over 'inept management' of military from the morgue, 2 Sep 2026
· Tillis renews calls for Hegseth’s firing after Driscoll’s departure: ‘I have never witnessed more inept management’ from the morgue, 2 Sep 2026
· Farmer who voted for Trump says farmers are "all just in survival mode" from the morgue, 18 Sep 2026
· Farmer who voted for Trump says "I can't stay in business" amid rising costs from the morgue, 18 Sep 2026
· Massie says he’s convinced enough Republicans to pass Epstein Files II discharge petition from the morgue, 18 Sep 2026
· Massie names Epstein 'coconspirators,' discusses new Epstein files legislation from the morgue, 1 Sep 2026
· Read Thomas Massie’s eight impeachment charges against Pete Hegseth from the morgue, 15 Sep 2026
· Fake Republican midterm convention site still redirects to Epstein files from the morgue, 7 Sep 2026
· Trump says he has a ‘big decision’ coming up on Iran: ‘Do I want to go in and annihilate them’ from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Fox News Poll: 71% think Trump administration lacks plan to end Iran war from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Iran recently downed at least 2 American drones, officials say from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Big Oil Stocks Surged Due to Iran War—and New Filings Show How President Trump Cashed In from the morgue, 27 Aug 2026
· Live updates: Energy secretary downplays rising gas prices as US, Iran trade strikes from the morgue, 6 Sep 2026
· U.S. Strike on Iranian School May Have Been War Crime, U.N. Report Says from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· UN Inquiry Finds US Strike on Minab, Iran That Killed 123 Children Was War Crime from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· UN investigators conclude ‘reasonable grounds’ to believe certain US strikes in Iran were war crimes from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· UN Suspects US War Crimes in Iran from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· US Condemned for 'War Crimes' After Bombing of Wedding Party in Iran from the morgue, 2 Sep 2026
· US investigating if missile hit Iranian wedding ceremony, killing 4 from the morgue, 4 Sep 2026
· Trump says he has a ‘big decision coming up’ on Iran from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· White House issues explosive response to UN-backed report claiming US committed war crimes against world’s No.1 sponsor of terror, Iran from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Human rights experts: 'Reasonable grounds' to believe US committed war crimes with Iran strikes from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· US Energy Consumers Have Spent $121 Billion Extra Since Trump Launched Iran War: Moody's from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Iran downed at least 2 American drones in recent days, U.S. officials say from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Iran: Account of US Air Force colonel's rescue 'fictional' from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Consumer Burden of Trump Iran War Exceeds $100 Billion as Oil Prices Pass $100 a Barrel from the morgue, 9 Sep 2026
· 'A Serious and Alarming Threat': US Bombing, Blockade Deepen Iran Medical Crisis from the morgue, 9 Sep 2026
· Consumer Confidence Hits Lowest Level in Months as US Faces 'Trump's Reckless Tariffs and War With Iran' from the morgue, 25 Aug 2026
· U.S. Air Force officer rescued from Iran speaks for the first time to 60 Minutes from the morgue, 8 Sep 2026
· Rep. Thomas Massie forcing vote on Pete Hegseth's impeachment from the morgue, 16 Sep 2026
· Did Johnson Just Adjourn Congress for 7 Weeks to Avoid Massie's Impeachment Articles Against Hegseth? from the morgue, 16 Sep 2026
· The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Massie saying Johnson is sending the House home early to prevent Hegseth impeachment from the morgue, 16 Sep 2026
· ‘You’re Elected to Fight and Kill the Other Side’: How Congress Lost Its Way from the morgue, 16 Sep 2026
· Army combat veteran challenging Mike Lawler calls Hegseth national security 'hazard,' backs impeachment from the morgue, 6 Sep 2026
· Former Air Force secretary says he 'couldn't serve' in Trump administration from the morgue, 6 Sep 2026
· Former Air Force secretary: Hegseth's Pentagon 'dysfunctional' from the morgue, 3 Sep 2026
· House Republicans split over leaving Washington early for campaign trail from the morgue, 1 Sep 2026
· Since 2025, Trump Made More Stock Trades Than All 535 Congress Members Combined from the morgue, 16 Sep 2026
· Fossil Fuel Advertising Contracts Hit Record High as Big Oil Pockets Billions From Iran War from the morgue, 16 Sep 2026
· 'How are we gonna get through this?' Many Americans are struggling as prices rise from the morgue, 16 Sep 2026
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front. The byline is a pen name for a column drafted by a machine and checked by the editor: how this is made.