Brief
Senator Tillis questions legality of Trump’s diesel deal with Russia
Republican Senator Thom Tillis warned that the president’s diesel agreement with Russia could breach congressional sanctions law.
By Felo News Desk · Published
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis said President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily relax sanctions on Russian diesel may be illegal, telling NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.
What happened
Trump announced a deal with Russia to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and a further million tonnes later. Tillis raised concerns that the relief could conflict with existing congressional sanctions statutes.
What the reports add
Al Jazeera reported Tillis said, "I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law." He added that his support for Trump’s legislative agenda would depend on a reversal of the diesel relief. The outlet also noted Tillis joined a bipartisan group of senators—including Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Blumenthal—who sent a letter urging the administration to end the sanctions relief, calling it a "financial lifeline" for President Vladimir Putin.
What was said
"If the president wants my support, which I believe he should get for funding military operations and year‑end funding beyond baseline funding, I think the president needs to understand this is a problem, and I’m not the only Republican concerned with this," Tillis told Meet the Press, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
How it came about
The diesel agreement follows a surge in fuel prices linked to the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Tillis, who announced in June 2025 that he would not seek re‑election after a primary threat from Trump, has become a vocal critic of what he sees as overreach by the administration. Earlier Felo coverage detailed the deal itself and the UK’s decision to keep its own sanctions on Russia (UK sanctions response), as well as Trump’s claim of a successful 90‑minute call with Putin (Trump’s diesel supply claim).
Key facts
- Sen. Thom Tillis said the diesel sanctions relief could violate congressional law. (aljazeera.com)
- Trump announced a deal for over 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel immediately, with larger shipments later. (aljazeera.com)
- Tillis joined a bipartisan group of senators urging reversal of the diesel relief. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Republican senator says Trump diesel agreement with Russia may be illegal”
