Bipartisan senators demand Trump reverse Russian diesel deal, citing 2022 import ban
The move comes as Trump seeks to lower fuel prices ahead of the midterms, with the Iran war now in its seventh month. Diesel hit a record average of $6.53 per gallon in September, according to AAA
A bipartisan group of seven senators on Sunday demanded that President Donald Trump "immediately reverse course" on his decision to allow Russian diesel imports. They are accusing the administration of violating federal law and handing Moscow a financial lifeline as it wages war against Ukraine.
The statement was signed by Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis, and Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.
On Friday, Trump announced on Truth Social that, following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia would "immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace." Trump also said another 500,000 tons would follow in November, then 1 million tons "immediately thereafter," and 3 million more "within a short period of time."
The Treasury Department has also issued a general license allowing Russian diesel imports into the US through April 2027.
The senators cited Congress' 2022 ban on Russian energy imports. "Congress was clear: the US should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies," they wrote. "President Trump's decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the US runs directly counter to that law," the statement continued.
During an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," Senator Tillis said, "I do believe there's a legitimate case for saying the president's not following the law." Meanwhile, Sen. John Barrasso defended Trump on CBS's "Face the Nation," saying, "The president is balancing and has to make tough decisions," he said, calling the deal "another point of leverage for the president to use against Putin."
Suggested articles
The move comes as Trump seeks to lower fuel prices ahead of the midterms, with the Iran war now in its seventh month. Diesel hit a record average of $6.53 per gallon in September, according to AAA.
The White House did not immediately respond to the senators' statement. It earlier pointed to a Trump post declaring an "ENERGY CEASEFIRE" in the war between Russia and Ukraine, though the president provided no details or evidence that Moscow had agreed.