With only weeks remaining until the U.S. midterm elections and races increasingly tilting in favor of the Democrats, President Donald Trump's arrangements regarding Russian diesel exports and his public praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin have become the latest in a series of Russia-related controversies, drawing open criticism from Republicans.

Trump stated that he is working with Putin to push Russian diesel back into global markets, hoping to ease fuel price pressures before the November 3 midterm elections. This effectively upends years of sanctions policy toward Russia. European officials have warned that increased Russian diesel exports would strengthen Moscow's ability to wage war against Ukraine.

For some Republican candidates in tight races, the president's move amounts to an unwelcome "October surprise." Republicans are currently struggling to maintain their slim majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

"We need a president who can lead the free world," said Nebraska Republican Representative Don Bacon on social media. "Frankly, that was Trump, and still is, but he is weak on Putin." Bacon, who has long clashed with Trump, is retiring, and his Omaha district is expected to flip to the Democrats.

Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins is currently fighting the toughest reelection battle of her political career. On Sunday, she joined three Republican lawmakers and three Democratic lawmakers in sending a letter to the White House, criticizing Trump for ignoring the 2022 law banning Russian oil imports and demanding an immediate policy change. "The United States should not be providing economic lifeblood to Putin while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians," the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

Trump dismissed the criticism. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said: "I don't think these Republicans are serious at all. Anything that helps our farmers and ranchers, I support."

Trump had previously praised Putin for agreeing to resume diesel exports and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. He also said Zelensky should consider resigning, stating that Ukraine needs a leader who "can make a deal with Russia."

Some Republicans have also defended Trump, arguing that he is trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war while reducing diesel price pressures on American consumers. Keeping fuel prices down before Election Day has been a key focus for Republicans and Trump. Some candidates and senators had suggested that Trump temporarily ban diesel exports, but Trump ultimately did not take that approach.