Page F117From§Eachthe afternoon edition — 12 October 2026
THE LEDGER
As it ran on the front
The word on the table is ceasefire, so start by weighing what it bought. Friday, October 9th, the president announced a deal to buy Russian diesel, pitched in the Washington Examiner's words as a fix for elevated prices. Saturday he told Ukraine it was time to get a new president, for objecting. Two days after the diesel deal, Sunday, he posted a different word: effective immediately, an energy ceasefire, both parties agreed. Zelenskyy, consulted on neither announcement, called the ceasefire news to me. He later said he'd support it too, if Moscow did. Today, three days after the diesel deal and one day after the ceasefire, the drones are still flying.
This was not the first time that word got used. On September 14th, a day after a single remark at Doonbeg blaming Ukrainian refinery strikes for the price of diesel, Trump had already announced an energy-target ceasefire of his own: Ukraine would stop hitting Russian energy, Russia would stop hitting Ukraine's, both sides agreed, he wrote. By September 21st he was saying Russia had "lost control" of its own diesel industry. By October 1st, Ukraine was still hitting refineries, which the Guardian filed as Kyiv defying him outright. The first ceasefire did not survive three weeks before he tried a second one, this time by buying the product the strikes keep disrupting.…
…(cont) The second ceasefire did not survive the weekend it was announced on. Zelenskyy said Russian drones were in the sky "throughout the day" Sunday, and that Russia hit a thermal power plant in Kharkiv — one of more than two hundred strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the week before. Monday morning, oil cleared $105 a barrel, a number the New York Post ran beside both the Kharkiv strike and a separate attack on a Saudi airport. By Sunday, lawmakers from both parties were criticizing the diesel deal; by Monday, The Hill was calling the midterm picture for Republicans bleak.
Representative Don Bacon, who votes with this president on nearly everything else, said propping up Putin's war economy is "morally wrong," because, in Bacon's words, "he uses that money to bomb cities." Bacon sits in a Nebraska seat three weeks from an election; the diesel number on his constituents' receipts will not care what the post said. Tiana Lowe Doescher, a Washington Examiner columnist, told CNN Monday the arrangement is a "bad deal" and questioned whether the White House will follow through.
So reconcile the ledger: the price did not drop, and the strikes did not stop. The revenue line still runs toward Moscow. A ceasefire is supposed to be a thing that stops; this is a receipt wearing its label.
“They call it a ceasefire and still charge you for the gas — that's the con. Putin keeps hitting the power plants, diesel's still over five bucks, and the only thing that actually stopped was anybody in Washington saying no to the deal. Bacon can call it morally wrong on Twitter three weeks before an election; the vote's the real ceasefire, and that one hasn't been announced.”
“Look, the deal takes Russian diesel off the open market and routes it through American buyers, that's leverage, that's — okay, it routes the money into Russian accounts, fine, but it's our paperwork collecting it. The ceasefire word is aspirational, it's a floor we're building toward, strikes happening under a declared ceasefire just means the ceasefire needs a little more runway, a little more. Did I say "floor we're building toward"? That doesn't sound like me, forget I said that.”
Earlier in this story
The receipts
"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.
"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)
Zelensky backs Trump's 'energy ceasefire' but says Russia continues to hit power plantsUkraine's leader says he will support such a truce if Moscow does, after initially expressing surprise at Donald Trump's announcement.
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.”
President Trump's decision to allow Russia to export diesel fuel to the U.S. and international markets has drawn bipartisan fury from lawmakers angered it could help Russian President Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine. Join The Hill's Editor-in-Chief Ian Swanson, campaign reporter Caroline Vakil and senior editor Colin Meyn for a live…
Washington Examiner economics columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher called President Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Russia a “bad deal” and questioned whether it will move forward. “[Jared] Kuschner and [Steve] Witcoff want a deal, and Trump has two factions within the White House; he oscillates between the two,”
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 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.
Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged".
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.”
Trump promised a 24-hour end to the war on 53 separate occasions, per CNN's count CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Zelenskyy accuses Putin of defying Trump's ceasefire push, sends pointed message to White HouseVolodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Vladimir Putin of attacking Ukraine's gas infrastructure hours after Trump announced an immediate energy ceasefire.
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 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.
CNN counted 53 separate occasions Trump promised the Ukraine war would be settled within 24 hours of him meeting Putin and Zelensky CNN fact check, 25 April 2025 (all 53 instances)
Russia targets Ukraine energy facilities despite Trump's energy ceasefire claimUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Russia has continued to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, violating what Trump claimed was an energy ceasefire agreed to between the two countries. Zelensky said Russian forces struck a thermal power plant in Kharkiv and other energy facilities, despite Trump’s declaration on…
President Donald Trump said Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a deal to supply the United States with Russian diesel fuel. Diesel prices remain a significant issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections amid the war in Iran. Trump administration officials were previously working on freeing up Russian diesel…
Oil soared above $105 a barrel Monday morning in the wake geopolitical turmoil, with an Iran-backed group launching a deadly strike on a Saudi airport and Ukraine accusing Russia of attacking energy facilities in spite of a ceasefire declared by President Trump.
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.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) slammed President Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, a move that comes amid energy cost increases in the U.S. “70% of Americans support Ukraine.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have criticised the deal, which was announced weeks before the US midterm elections.
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 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.
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…
Ukrainian president says the deal is ‘news to me’ and that Russia is still attacking energy infrastructure. Plus, investigation into continuing mystery of Havana syndrome Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here Good morning.
· Trump says Ukraine and Russia have agreed to energy target ceasefire from the morgue, 14 Sep 2026
· Ukraine persists with Russian oil refinery strikes, defying Trump on fuel price warnings from the morgue, 1 Oct 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
· Trump blames Ukraine for diesel fuel price spike, urges Zelensky to stop hitting Russian refineries from the morgue, 13 Sep 2026
· Trump calls out Zelensky over rising diesel prices from the morgue, 15 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.