‘A Financial Lifeline’ for Putin: US Senators Say Trump’s Diesel Deal Violates Law
Three Democrats and four Republicans said Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports violates a 2022 law and bypassed required congressional consultation.
Seven US senators, spanning both parties, expressed doubt on Sunday regarding the legality of President Donald Trump's deal permitting Russian diesel exports, despite a US ban imposed after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Following a Friday announcement, the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin involves releasing a substantial amount of diesel in exchange for the temporary easing of US sanctions. The proposal has sparked immediate criticism from Ukraine, the EU, and several American lawmakers.
The senators' joint statement began by emphasizing that Congress had explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022, with the intent of preventing American funds from supporting Putin's aggressive conflict against Ukraine. The statement singled out Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, and Ron Wyden, alongside four Republican senators - Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, and Thom Tillis - as co-signatories.
The senators pointed out that Trump's decision to permit Russian diesel imports directly contradicts the aforementioned law and further stated that the Administration failed to engage in any consultation with Congress or provide justification for the decision, as mandated by statute.
The senators harshly condemned the decision, asserting that it serves as a "financial lifeline" to Putin while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. They urged the Trump administration to promptly reverse its course. In response, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the deal on Sunday, asserting that they will proceed "with all the legal authorities" available to them.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
