Brief
Bipartisan senators demand Trump reverse Russian diesel agreement
The bipartisan group says the pact will not ease fuel costs and will fund Russia's war effort.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of twelve U.S. senators wrote to President Donald Trump urging him to withdraw from a diesel supply agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and to rescind a Treasury waiver on Russian energy sanctions, according to CBS News.
What happened
Trump announced last week that Russia would immediately release 300,000 tons of diesel to the United States, with larger shipments slated for the coming months. The Treasury Department also said it would temporarily waive sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to allow the diesel to reach global markets.
What the reports add
The senators, including six Republicans—Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Alan Armstrong, Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn—and six Democrats—Richard Blumenthal, Jeanne Shaheen, Dick Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed and Chris Coons—argued that the deal “damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine.” They noted that the war in Ukraine continues and that a “just peace” must respect Ukrainian sovereignty.
What was said
In the letter, the senators wrote, “This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded.” They added that allowing Russian diesel on global markets would have “limited to no relief to Americans” while “undoubtedly finance[ing] its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea.”
How it came about
The push follows earlier criticism of the diesel pact, including President Trump’s own remarks urging a change in Ukrainian leadership after the deal and reports of Russian strikes in Zaporizhzhia that killed civilians. Earlier Felo News coverage linked the diesel agreement to rising U.S. diesel prices, which hit $6.32 per gallon in early October.
Key facts
- Twelve bipartisan senators urged Trump to rescind the Russian diesel deal (cbsnews.com)
- Trump announced an immediate supply of 300,000 tons of diesel from Russia (cbsnews.com)
- The Treasury Department planned a temporary waiver of sanctions on Russian energy (cbsnews.com)
- Senators argued the deal would not lower U.S. fuel prices and would fund Russia's war effort (cbsnews.com)
Sources
- [1] cbsnews.com — originally reported as “Bipartisan senators urge Trump to rescind Russian diesel deal, calling it a "betrayal" of Ukraine”
