Four Republicans join Democrats in challenging Trump's Russian diesel deal
Seven US senators, including four Republicans, have called on President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to allow Russian diesel imports, arguing that it violates a 2022 congressional ban and was made without the legally required consultation with Congress.
The bipartisan statement was signed by Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis, alongside Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.
Shaheen is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
"Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin's brutal war against Ukraine," the senators said.
They argued that Trump's decision to allow Russian diesel imports directly contradicts the law and that his administration failed to consult Congress or provide the justification required by statute.
"The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course," the statement said.
On October 9, Trump announced an agreement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports. The US Treasury subsequently announced a temporary license permitting Russian diesel shipments to the global market.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move, calling it a sign of weakness that benefits Russia.
The dispute comes as Washington pressures Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries. According to the Financial Times, the Trump administration has threatened to suspend intelligence sharing and block the PURL mechanism for purchasing American weapons for Ukraine if the attacks continue.