Bipartisan Lawmakers Challenge Trump Policy on Russia and Ukraine

Republican and Democratic lawmakers are challenging President Donald Trump's Russia policy, seeking to reverse a decision permitting Russian diesel transactions and demanding guarantees that Ukraine retains access to American military and intelligence support. The congressional push, reported by RFE/RL on October 24, 2026, follows concerns about satellite communication restrictions affecting Ukrainian military operations and the potential consequences for US national security.

The lawmakers have pursued legislation and appeals to the administration, arguing that decisions benefiting Moscow or disrupting Ukraine's battlefield capabilities could weaken congressional oversight and prolong Russia's war against Ukraine.

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026 with Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

The bill would overturn a Treasury Department waiver issued on October 9 authorizing transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, including imports into the United States. The temporary authorization is scheduled to expire on April 7, 2027.

Trump defended the agreement following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 9, saying it would increase global diesel supplies and lower fuel prices. He said Russia had agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and international markets, with additional shipments to follow.

According to the source report, disruptions to global energy supplies linked to the war in Iran have contributed to sharp increases in diesel prices. The proposed legislation would prohibit future waivers permitting Russian energy imports and require intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense, with congressional intelligence committees notified within 24 hours of any interruption.

The bill's sponsors say the administration's decision undermines a 2022 federal law prohibiting Russian oil imports. The legislation has been referred to three House committees for consideration.

Bacon argued that Congress must challenge the administration's approach to Moscow and hold the president accountable for decisions involving Russia.

"Congress must be a check to the president's egregious appeasement to Putin," Bacon told RFE/RL.

Fitzpatrick said the United States could not credibly demand accountability from Putin while allowing American markets to support Russian energy revenues. He also invoked former President Ronald Reagan's foreign policy doctrine, arguing that aggression should carry costs exceeding its rewards.

"We must not import a single drop of Russian oil," Fitzpatrick said, adding that Congress had approved the prohibition with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2022.

Bacon also criticized what he described as a reversal of Trump's previous position on European purchases of Russian energy.

"For years, President Trump criticized Europe for buying Russian energy and propping up Putin's war economy," Bacon said.

Bacon continued his criticism of the administration's decision to authorize Russian diesel transactions.

"Now, Trump wants to make it easier for Putin to sell diesel fuel. He is wrong."

Gluesenkamp Perez condemned the waiver, arguing that it disregarded US national interests and Congress's bipartisan position. She said efforts to reduce gasoline prices should focus on policies that end the war in Iran rather than direct American money toward Russia.

Separately, eight lawmakers from both parties have urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon's Starshield contract and guarantee uninterrupted access to Starlink and Starshield satellite communications for Ukraine.

The group includes Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Quigley, Jim Costa and Jimmy Panetta, alongside Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis and Elissa Slotkin. They called for the restoration of unrestricted connection speeds, sufficient geographic coverage for Ukraine's lawful military operations, including over Russian territory, and a seamless transition from commercial Starlink services to government-contracted Starshield.

In their appeal to Hegseth, the lawmakers warned that disruptions to satellite services could weaken Ukrainian forces and increase risks to civilians.

"Any degradation in service, including reduced connection speeds, restricted geographic coverage, or interruptions in access, undermines Ukraine's military effectiveness and provides Russian forces with an operational advantage that will extend the conflict and put more civilians in harm's way," they wrote.

The lawmakers also urged the Defense Department to consider using its authority under the Defense Production Act to secure reliable satellite communications for Ukrainian command and control, intelligence sharing, battlefield communications and drone operations.

They argued that a private provider should not have sole discretion over services with direct consequences for Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

"Decisions regarding service availability, coverage, and performance should not be left solely to the discretion of a private provider when they have direct consequences for Ukraine's ability to defend itself," the lawmakers said.

The appeal followed Ukrainian reports that restrictions introduced on October 13 disrupted communications for drones and other military platforms traveling faster than 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). The reported disruptions affected Ukraine's ability to guide defensive drones and conduct operations against Russian positions.

Ukrainian officials said on October 24 that satellite connection speeds had been restored, although questions remained about who imposed the earlier restrictions. A Ukrainian official familiar with the matter told RFE/RL that SpaceX had not responded to Kyiv about the restrictions.

"No one has explained what happened or what will happen next," the official said, adding that Ukrainian officials had been in contact with the US government.

The satellite dispute has prompted further congressional inquiries into who ordered the restrictions and whether the US government has sufficient safeguards to maintain Ukraine's access to critical communications services.