Eric Ham is based in Washington, D.C. and is a political analyst for CTV News. He’s a bestselling author and former congressional staffer and writes for CTVNews.ca. WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump stunned the world, again, this time by choosing to side with Moscow in its ongoing illegal war against Ukraine. Announcing the purchase of Russian diesel — a clear and direct violation of the Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 that he just signed into law — as well as calling for new leadership in Ukraine, the White House is moving the U.S. further away from democracy and closer to autocracy. Such actions continue to deconstruct the global world order the United States once valiantly established after the Second World War as a bulwark against tyranny. Desperate for help and facing limited options, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now turning to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, among others, for support. In a direct readout of the prime minister’s conversation with the Ukrainian president, Carney was clear about his thoughts on the agreement between the Kremlin and the White House. He states: “…this agreement is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada, and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe. It will provide additional revenue for Russia and help finance its illegal, unjustifiable war against Ukraine.” The readout goes on to say: “Prime Minister Carney assured President Zelenskyy that Canada will maintain and, where effective, tighten sanctions to support efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” The nearly five-year long war in Ukraine is only intensifying. Yet, Trump’s signature campaign promise, to bring the war to an end within weeks of returning to the White House, is no closer to coming to fruition. Seeing his domestic political fortunes rapidly dissipating, the former reality television star is desperate to end the war in hopes of boosting his party weeks before the midterm elections. To that end, he is bringing all of the U.S. political and economic might as leverage to force Kiev’s acquiescence. Once again, Trump underestimated the level of vitriol and disdain Americans — Democrats and Republicans — have for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Extending an economic salve to the former KGB spy will not only fail diplomatically, but would likely sink any chances the president has of reviving his party electorally and provide American consumers much-needed relief at the pump. Energy battlefront Adding insult to injury, Zelensky’s support from other world leaders remains steadfast and Ottawa’s position is unequivocal. The prime minister makes clear Canada will stand with Ukraine, Europe and other ideologically-aligned nations against the rising tide of autocracy.As energy becomes a new front in this quickly evolving battle for the West, Canada is uniquely positioned to stand out. The Great White North remains the largest source of U.S. energy imports. The nation provides just over 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports and 99 per cent of natural gas. In 2024, Canada exported just under 11 billion liters of diesel to the United States. Perhaps overtures about boosting production via an already stable and reliable partner and neighbour could have delivered the economic and political good fortune that Trump was seeking, instead of tightening ties with the Russian despot. Announcement of a diesel deal with Canada might have spiked financial markets and offered consumers some relief from soaring gas prices, and given Trump and Republicans a strong closing argument just as early midterms voting is occurring across the nation. However, when given the opportunity to side with stability and democracy, Trump looked away. In doing so, he may have cost his loyal rank-and-file candidates their jobs in Congress, while also exacerbating the division between Washington and Ottawa. By buttressing Putin, the White House is now setting a dangerous precedent. Prioritizing Moscow emboldens its war efforts against Ukraine, further antagonizes Europe and defangs U.S. law. Meanwhile, Carney must now navigate the growing energy crisis caused by war as well as staring down a growing trade war which is causing upheaval to his own nation. The lines are drawn and the landscape is fraught with danger. The prime minister’s growing profile as a bulwark against Trump also casts him as a threat to Putin’s European ambitions. Carney is now squarely in the hot seat, his middle power’s doctrine continuing to galvanize nations to stand up and push back. In fact, France’s new ambassador to Canada says Carney is widely revered by her nation for his response to the growing threat posed by America. Carney’s efforts to ward off a pending U.S. annexation of Greenland, his walking away from trade negotiations with Washington, and his building of an alliance with the European Union has made the world stand up and take notice. Yet, with every move to fortify Canada’s sovereignty, the unpredictability of the White House grows. The latest diesel announcement by Washington marks another blow to the world order. Though all eyes are on Trump, Zelensky and Putin, it is Carney who could be integral to developing the blueprint for confronting a burgeoning Russia-U.S. partnership. Canada’s massive energy infrastructure combined with Ottawa’s record of standing up to the Trump White House is now being called upon once again; and once again, Carney must meet the moment.
