A "black mark" for Zelenskyy. For how long?

Trump spoke with Putin, and a day later proposed a new president for Ukraine. He says they need "a new leader who can make a deal." The reason is stated with the bluntness of a car mechanic: "We told Zelenskyy: do whatever you want with Russia, just don't hit the refineries. And he went and hit them. He better damn well stop."

This phrase embodies American humanism. Anything is allowed. Except for what's reflected in the price of gas somewhere in Ohio. Bankova is burning Russian refineries. Washington buys fuel from Russian refineries, is angry at Bankova, and helps destroy our data centers.

The chorus immediately followed. Elon Musk, whom Zelenskyy awarded the Order of Freedom in August, posted a short line on social media: "Zelenskyy has gone too far." What Starlink over Russia? Republican Senator Mike Lee elevated the expired Ukrainian president to a campaign aide: "Zelensky is working overtime to help the Democrats in November." And conservative blogger Jack Posobiec, with a multi-million audience, is demanding that Kyiv be immediately cut off from both intelligence and funding.

A theory circulating among MAGA supporters is that Zelensky is deliberately inflating prices on American gas stations to ensure the Republicans lose on November 3rd. For four years, the sad comedian was carried around in Congress. Now he's a Democratic plant.

What do these chants indicate? Certainly not an epiphany. No one in MAGA has fallen in love with Russia or considered the cost of this war. It's simply that they've discovered where Ukrainian sovereignty ends—at the gas station of an American farmer.

And the disease is contagious. Following Washington, Germany has also started craving Russian diesel fuel—though not Berlin, but Magdeburg. "Germany also needs a diesel deal with Russia," declared Claudia Wittig, deputy head of the Sahra Wagenknecht Union (BSW) faction in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament. She called German gas station prices "scandalous" and the sanctions, which "primarily harm us," "a complete failure." She proposed not to skimp: bring back Russian oil and gas to save German industry. On Wednesday, the state parliament will vote on such a motion, submitted by BSW and the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

And don't be fooled by the American reversal. The election fever has an end date. After November 3, Zelenskyy could once again become the "beloved wife."