Asian shares are mixed and oil prices fall about $1.50 as Trump says US will buy diesel from Russia

A bipartisan coalition of six senators has urged President Donald Trump's administration to "immediately reverse course" on a controversial plan to purchase diesel from Russia, in an effort to curb soaring fuel prices. The announcement by President Trump on social media last Friday revealed that Russia would supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global market, with further shipments planned in the coming months.

The senators, comprising four Republicans and two Democrats, contend that the administration did not seek congressional approval or provide justification for the decision, as mandated by statute. They argue that supporting Russia while Ukraine continues to suffer civilian casualties is unacceptable. The Republican senators include Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, and John Curtis, while the Democratic senators are Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Blumenthal.

Tillis suggested that there is a valid argument that the president is not adhering to the law if the administration proceeds with the diesel import plan. The situation arose as Congress had recently passed legislation directing Trump to impose significant tariffs on Russian oil or natural gas imports, except for countries that import less than 15% of Russia's natural gas and have reduced imports significantly.

The senators emphasized that Congress explicitly prohibited Russia's energy imports in 2022, aiming to prevent the U.S. from financing the war in Ukraine.