Bipartisan Senators Urge Trump to Scrap Russia Diesel Deal

A bipartisan group of 12 US senators urged President Donald Trump on Tuesday to cancel an agreement allowing Russian diesel to enter global markets, arguing the arrangement could strengthen Moscow's war effort against Ukraine while doing little to reduce American energy costs. The lawmakers called for tougher economic pressure on Russia instead.

The agreement, announced by Trump the previous week, was intended to help lower elevated energy prices during the US-Iran war. However, the senators argued that easing restrictions on Russian diesel would provide minimal relief to American consumers while generating additional revenue for the Kremlin.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers described the agreement as a threat to US security interests and urged the administration to reverse course. The signatories included Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Alan Armstrong, R-Okla., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Jack Reed, D-R.I., Chris Coons, D-Del., Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.

The senators wrote that allowing Moscow to sell diesel without restrictions would undermine American security and support Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.

"Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war. This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded," the senators wrote.

The lawmakers also called on Trump to use sanctions authorities established under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which the president signed into law in September. They argued that implementing the legislation would increase pressure on Russia and countries supporting its war effort.

The senators said stronger economic measures could improve Washington's negotiating position and help bring the conflict to an end. Their proposal specifically identified China as a key enabler of Russia's war.

"These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict," the senators wrote.

While opposing the diesel agreement, the lawmakers acknowledged the administration's efforts to address higher energy costs and disruptions caused by the conflict with Iran. They maintained that the arrangement would have little effect on fuel prices while potentially generating substantial financial benefits for Russia.

"We also recognize the urgent need to lower energy costs for American families and address the disruptions caused by the war with Iran," the statement said. "However, allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans. It will have a negligible impact on fuel prices, but the revenues the Kremlin will receive from this agreement will undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea. It will also endanger servicemembers operating overseas in support of Operation Epic Fury."