Trump’s Russian roulette: A high-stakes juggle between Putin and the polls

With US fuel prices soaring weeks before the midterm elections, US President Donald Trump turned to a most unlikely supplier for relief. Russia. Moscow, which Washington has sanctioned for years over its war in Ukraine, is now being allowed to supply diesel to the US and global markets under a temporary licence issued by the Treasury Department.The decision came after a telephone conversation between Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The White House said the move will help bring down fuel costs for American farmers, truckers and families. But critics, including several Republicans, argue that the deal risks putting money into Moscow's hands while doing little to ease prices for American consumers.The timing is politically sensitive as Americans are preparing to elect a new Congress on November 3, and the cost of living remains a major concern.For Trump, the political calculation appears straightforward.