{
  "id": 13895965,
  "title": "Trump's diesel deal with Russia could be illegal, US senators warn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/trumps-diesel-deal-with-russia-could-be-illegal-us-senators-warn",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T07:13:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/2026-10-12-trumps-diesel-deal-with-russia-could-be-illegal-us-senators-warn/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seven US senators, of various political affiliations, have raised concerns over President Donald Trump's decision to permit Russian diesel exports, despite a longstanding US ban imposed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. President Trump announced the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, which allows for a substantial release of diesel in exchange for an easing of US sanctions. This deal has been met with strong opposition from Ukraine, the European Union, and several American lawmakers.\n\nCongress explicitly prohibited Russian energy imports in 2022, in an effort to deter financial support for Putin's aggressive campaign against Ukraine and its NATO allies. The senators' joint statement, signed by Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, and Ron Wyden, and four Republican senators - Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, and Thom Tillis - emphasized that the US should not import oil from Russia until Moscow ceases its aggression and stops threatening its allies.\n\nThe senators assert that President Trump's decision to allow Russian diesel imports directly contradicts this law. Furthermore, they noted that the administration has neglected to consult with Congress or provide any justification for the decision, as mandated by statute. The senators strongly condemned the move, which they view as providing a financial lifeline to Putin while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians, and urged the Trump administration to immediately reverse its course.\n\nTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, defended the deal in an interview with Fox News, stating that they will proceed with all the legal authorities at their disposal.",
  "summary": "Seven US senators from both parties say Donald Trump’s deal to allow Russian diesel imports violates US law and have urged his administration to reverse the decision.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Trump says Russia and Ukraine agree to an 'energy ceasefire' but Kyiv says attacks continue",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/trump-says-russia-and-ukraine-agree-to-an-energy-ceasefire-but-kyiv",
        "published": "2026-10-12T05:11:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "US warns Ukraine it may halt intelligence sharing over Russian energy attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/us-warns-ukraine-it-may-halt-intelligence-sharing-over-russian-energy",
        "published": "2026-10-12T05:41:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Europe Today: Trump claims Ukraine-Russia energy ceasefire as Baltics stay on alert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/europe-today-trump-claims-ukraine-russia-energy-ceasefire-as-baltics",
        "published": "2026-10-12T06:01:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Russia strikes Kharkiv power plant following Trump’s ceasefire proposal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/russia-strikes-kharkiv-power-plant-following-trumps-ceasefire-proposal",
        "published": "2026-10-12T06:02:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Riyadh airport attacked again and Trump announces Ukraine-Russia 'energy ceasefire'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/riyadh-airport-attacked-again-and-trump-announces-ukraine-russia",
        "published": "2026-10-12T06:14:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Trump says Russia and Ukraine agree to an 'energy ceasefire'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/trump-says-russia-and-ukraine-agree-to-an-energy-ceasefire",
        "published": "2026-10-12T06:41:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Kyiv says Russian strikes on energy facilities continue despite Trump’s ‘energy ceasefire’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/kyiv-says-russian-strikes-on-energy-facilities-continue-despite",
        "published": "2026-10-12T08:08:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Zelenskyy: I have not heard that Russia supports energy truce",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/zelenskyy-i-have-not-heard-that-russia-supports-energy-truce",
        "published": "2026-10-12T08:51:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}