A group of seven U.S. senators, four Republicans and three Democrats, issued a statement calling for President Trump to “reverse course” on his diesel fuel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from ‌financing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine,” the senators said in a statement, according to Reuters.

“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 continued.

“A few weeks ago, Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation to increase sanctions and tariffs on Russia. The President should be using those authorities instead of allowing Russia to export diesel, rake in revenues, and continue its catastrophic war in Ukraine,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) commented.

“We can discuss Russia’s return to global energy markets once the war is over, but in the meantime, we need to cut off everything fueling it,” she added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reuters has more:

It was only the latest bipartisan criticism of Trump’s deal, a shift from his party’s near-unanimous support for Trump’s foreign policy decision weeks before November 3 ​midterm elections that will determine whether his Republicans will retain their control of Congress.

It was issued by Republican Senators Susan Collins of ⁠Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah and Democrats Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Ron Wyden ​of Oregon.

Tillis had said earlier on Sunday that the diesel deal may be illegal and would put American lives at risk.

Trump said on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to ​global markets, and his administration temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel designed to deprive Moscow of revenue for its war on Ukraine.

“I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law,” Tillis, who is retiring from the Senate in January, told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Prices for diesel — used for agriculture, heating homes and trucking — are near record highs and could hurt Republicans in next month’s congressional ​elections.

“I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter,” Trump said on Friday.

“Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel. Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!” he continued.

“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon!” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

President Trump Announces Agreement With Vladimir Putin To Supply Diesel Fuel

"The European Union paid Russia 250 Billion Dollars for Energy, and the Fake News Media doesn’t want to get near that story. I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!" Trump said on Monday.

ABC News shared further:

Trump did not specify the period covered by $250 billion figure. Estimates from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air tracking how much the EU has spent importing fossil fuels from Russia since the start of war with Ukraine roughly align with the figure Trump mentioned.

Trump's comments come after a small group of bipartisan senators came out against the Trump administration's plan to lift Russian oil sanctions and import a new supply amid spiking prices in the U.S. The senators, in a statement on Sunday, urged the administration to reverse its decision due to the ongoing war with Ukraine and ban on Russian energy imports.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.