WASHINGTON – Six senators from both parties are urging President Donald Trump to abandon a proposed deal to purchase diesel from Russia, warning that the arrangement would undermine efforts to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Trump caught lawmakers off guard Friday when he announced on social media that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone conversation. Under the plan, Russia would immediately send more than 300,000 tons of diesel to U.S. and international markets, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter.” Another 3 million tons would be delivered “within a short period of time,” Trump said.
The Sunday statement was signed by four Republican senators and two Democrats. They accused the administration of bypassing Congress and failing to provide the explanation required by law for such a decision.
“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 senators wrote.
The Republican signatories were Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah. Democrats Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut also joined the statement.
Tillis said Sunday that the administration could face a credible legal challenge if it moves ahead with the diesel purchases. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he argued that the proposal may violate restrictions enacted by Congress.
“We were very clear that Russia is the aggressor. Russia is the one who can end this war by backing out of territory that they occupied,” Tillis said.
Trump’s announcement came only weeks after Congress approved legislation directing him to impose significant tariffs on the leading importers of Russian oil or natural gas. The law exempts countries that purchase less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken meaningful steps to reduce those imports.
The legislation was designed to curb the revenue Russia earns from energy exports, money that lawmakers say helps fund the war against Ukraine.
The senators also pointed to a 2022 congressional ban on Russian energy imports, enacted to prevent the United States from financially supporting Moscow’s war effort.
“Congress was clear: the U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies,” the senators said. “President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law.”
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., defended Trump’s focus on lowering energy costs when asked whether the proposed purchase would violate U.S. law.
“The president is balancing and has to make tough decisions,” Barrasso said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
At the same time, Barrasso urged Trump to implement the sanctions legislation Congress passed last month.
“This is just another point of leverage for the president to use against Putin in an effort to get a long-term solution in that part of the world,” Barrasso said.
Trump has recently attributed record U.S. diesel prices to Ukraine rather than to the U.S.-led war in Iran, which has pushed global energy prices higher.
