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A bipartisan group of seven senators is urging President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to allow Russian diesel imports, arguing the move could violate federal law and provide financial support to Moscow as its war against Ukraine continues.
The senators say the administration’s decision conflicts with a 2022 congressional ban on Russian energy imports and that officials failed to consult Congress or provide the explanation required by law. Their criticism puts Republicans and Democrats together in opposition to a policy Trump says is intended to ease surging fuel prices.
“President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law,” the senators said in a statement released Sunday. “The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute.”
The group includes Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah, along with Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Ron Wyden of Oregon. Shaheen is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians,” the senators wrote. “The Administration must immediately reverse course.”
Trump’s diesel deal with Putin
Trump announced Friday that Russia would supply diesel to American and global markets following a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The president said the arrangement would bring hundreds of thousands of tons of fuel into the market, with additional shipments planned.
The Treasury Department subsequently issued General License 135, authorizing certain transactions involving the sale, delivery and importation of Russian-origin diesel. The authorization provides temporary sanctions relief for qualifying shipments through April 2027.
The decision marks a shift in U.S. policy aimed at restricting Russian energy revenues following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Congress and successive administrations have used sanctions and import restrictions to limit the money Russia can earn from energy sales.
The administration’s move comes as Trump faces pressure to bring down fuel costs ahead of the November midterm elections. The war involving Iran has contributed to disruptions in global energy markets, adding to concerns about prices for consumers and businesses.
Trump has presented the Russian diesel arrangement as a way to increase available supplies. But energy analysts have questioned how much it could reduce prices in the United States, particularly if additional Russian exports primarily redirect fuel that would otherwise go to other markets.
Republican senator questions legality
Tillis had questioned the deal’s legality before joining the bipartisan statement. During an appearance Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the North Carolina Republican pointed to the conditions Congress established for lifting restrictions on Russian energy imports, including Russia ending its aggression against Ukraine.
“I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law,” Tillis said.
He argued that Russia, rather than Ukraine, bears responsibility for ending the war.
“We were very clear that Russia is the aggressor,” Tillis said. “Russia is the one who can end this war by backing out of territory they occupied.”
The senators’ statement reflects their interpretation of the governing law. The dispute raises questions about the administration’s legal authority to authorize the imports and whether it has satisfied the statutory requirements cited by the lawmakers. The statement itself does not establish a judicial finding that the administration has violated the law.
The White House, responding to Tillis’ earlier criticism, pointed POLITICO to a Truth Social post in which Trump declared an “ENERGY CEASEFIRE” in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump did not provide details or evidence that Moscow had agreed to such an arrangement.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the senators’ joint statement.
Fuel prices and political pressure
The diesel agreement comes as the administration faces growing pressure over energy costs. Diesel is essential to trucking, agriculture, construction and other industries, meaning sustained price increases can affect the cost of transporting goods and producing food.
Trump has sought to frame the Russian arrangement as a response to tight fuel supplies. However, analysts have questioned whether the policy will meaningfully lower American prices, given global supply constraints and uncertainty over how much fuel Russia can deliver.
The move also creates a policy conflict for lawmakers who support efforts to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine but are concerned about high domestic energy costs.
The senators contend that any effort to lower prices should not undermine the restrictions Congress established to limit Russia’s ability to finance its military campaign.
Their demand for a reversal adds to broader bipartisan scrutiny of the administration’s approach to Moscow, particularly as lawmakers debate the relationship between energy policy, sanctions enforcement and U.S. support for Ukraine.
Ukraine talks overshadowed
The diesel agreement also complicated diplomatic discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators in Miami on Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that easing sanctions without a lasting agreement to reduce hostilities could send the wrong signal to Moscow. The announcement reportedly caught Ukrainian officials off guard as they continued discussions with the United States.
The dispute highlights a central tension in the administration’s approach: Trump is seeking to ease energy costs and pursue diplomatic engagement with Putin, while Ukrainian officials and some members of Congress warn that relaxing economic pressure could weaken efforts to end Russia’s war.
The seven senators are now calling on the administration to withdraw the authorization. Whether the White House changes course — or faces a legal challenge over the decision — remains uncertain.
For now, the Russian diesel deal has opened a new dispute over the limits of presidential authority, the enforcement of sanctions and the balance between domestic energy costs and the U.S. response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
