Putin Moves to Restore US Ties Without Conceding on Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin is moving to normalize relations with the United States without making concessions on the war in Ukraine, according to The New York Times. The report states that Donald Trump reduced economic pressure on the Kremlin and adopted positions favorable to Putin in the week and a half before the analysis was published on October 22, 2026. On October 9, Trump announced the US would buy Russian diesel without demanding concessions, and his administration pressed Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries while suspending recently signed sanctions. A year ago, Trump imposed significant sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies after complaining peace talks stalled. The diesel purchase deal also aims to lower fuel prices before US legislative elections, while the Kremlin has long sought to separate the war from diplomatic or business dealings with Washington.