ESM does not usually publish posts about international affairs. The Russian bombing of Ukraine has to be an exception. Such treacherous behaviour on the part of Putin and Trump deserves world-wide condemnation. We know Trump is half mad but impeding Ukraine self-defence goes beyond the pale.

Ukrainians feel betrayed. So should we all. President Zelenskyy has said he feels betrayed by the diesel deal President Trump made with Russia. Since it was announced on October 9, Russian attacks have killed more than 70 people across Ukraine and injured more than 375, according to daily reports from Ukrainian regional authorities. Behind every one of those numbers is a mother, a father, a child, a neighbor.The deal breaks with nearly five years of sanctions on Russia for its full-scale invasion. It eases pressure on the energy revenues that fund the war, just three weeks after the President signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Energy analysts say it is unlikely to lower U.S. diesel prices by more than a few cents a gallon. Ukraine is paying for it in lives.Then came the “energy ceasefire” announced on October 11. Russia never publicly committed to it, and Ukrainian energy facilities were hit by ballistic missiles and drones that same day and repeatedly since. In good faith, Ukraine withheld fire from Russia’s energy infrastructure for three days while the attacks on its people continued. And now the tools that keep Ukrainians alive are being restricted and threatened. On two nights this week, Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv with no early warning from Ukraine’s partners, as the Trump administration threatens to cut off the intelligence Ukraine relies on to detect missile launches. Overnight on October 13–14, SpaceX restricted the speed of Starlink terminals in motion, without warning to Ukraine. Ukraine’s military relies on Starlink to stay connected on the battlefield when Russia destroys communication networks. It also links the interceptor drones that shoot down Russia’s jet-powered attack drones before they reach homes, hospitals, and power plants. This morning, a Russian drone struck a residential courtyard in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi District. Seven people were injured. Siding with a dictator and murderer is not an American value. We believe in justice, freedom, and human rights, and United Help Ukraine calls on all Americans to defend them. Ukraine will keep showing up. We need you to do three things today: Call your representatives and urge them to reverse the diesel deal. Share this email with someone who cares about Ukraine. Support our work by donating.Even now, we can push back, and we will.SUPPORT UKRAINE TODAY From a USA source.