Trump defends Russia diesel deal as lawmakers from both parties complain
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Monday defended a diesel oil deal he made with Russia as lawmakers from both parties complained the agreement appears to violate US law barring imports of Russian energy until Moscow ends its aggression against Ukraine. Trump said he is taking steps to bring down high fuel prices, which are jeopardizing Republican chances in the November 3 midterm elections.…
President Donald Trump defended a diesel oil deal with Russia on Monday, amidst criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who claim the agreement may violate US law barring imports of Russian energy until Moscow ceases its aggression against Ukraine. The President claimed he is taking measures to reduce high fuel prices, which are threatening Republican prospects in the upcoming November 3 midterm elections.
Trump attributed the surge in fuel prices to retaliation from Ukraine following its attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to a US-led war against Iran seven months ago. In a social media post, Trump asserted, "I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
On Friday, Trump announced that Russia had consented to supply diesel to global markets, and his administration temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel aimed at depriving Moscow of revenue generated by its war on Ukraine. A group of Republican and Democratic US senators called for Trump to "reconsider" the diesel supply deal, arguing that it may breach a 2022 law intended to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russian invaders.
Republican Senator Jerry Moran stated on social media, "We should be tightening sanctions further, not undermining them by allowing the import of Russian diesel and risking erasing our leverage, damaging our credibility with allies, and emboldening our adversaries."
The dispute between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy intensified over the weekend, with Zelenskiy accusing Trump of promoting a new president in Ukraine. Zelenskiy proposed a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for Russia's agreement to halt attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. However, the longevity of such a cease-fire remains uncertain.
Zelenskiy told Fox News on Monday that Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries are not the primary driver of rising fuel prices, suggesting that "everybody understands that the prices on diesel... it doesn't depend on our attacks on diesel in Russia."
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