A group of twelve U.S. senators, including six Republicans who are allies of U.S. President Donald Trump, have urged the president to cancel his recent diesel oil agreement with Russia. This call comes just before the deadline for the Trump administration to decide on imposing new sanctions on Moscow for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
In a letter to Trump, the senators expressed concerns that the deal would provide financial support to the Russian government led by President Vladimir Putin, which is currently engaged in a war and would not be advantageous to Americans. The senators highlighted a shift in the typically strong support from Republicans for Trump’s foreign policy decisions, particularly with the upcoming midterm elections in November.
Trump announced that he was lifting sanctions on Russian diesel exports, allowing Moscow to supply over 300,000 metric tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets. Despite Trump’s intention to lower prices, the amount mentioned in the deal is significantly less than the daily diesel consumption of the U.S. transport sector.
The senators described the agreement as a threat to American security interests and a betrayal of Ukraine and other allies who are standing against Putin’s actions. The letter was signed by prominent Republicans such as Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Alan Armstrong, Lisa Murkowski, and John Cornyn, as well as six Democrats.
Under a recent law signed by Trump, he must decide by October 18 whether to impose extensive sanctions and tariffs on Russian energy or waive them in the national interest. The senators urged Trump to implement the sanctions outlined in the new law, named after the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham, who was known for his tough stance on Russia.
Collins, Murkowski, and Tillis, along with Democrats, had previously called on Trump to reconsider the deal, citing U.S. laws prohibiting energy imports from Russia until it ceases its aggression towards Ukraine. Despite criticisms, Trump defended the deal, stating that it benefits both the U.S. and the global community.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak mentioned that Russia could increase diesel exports beyond the levels specified in the agreement. The Democratic senators who signed the letter emphasized the importance of rescinding the deal, expressing concerns about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine that escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
