Seven US senators from both parties questioned on Sunday the legality of President Donald Trump’s deal to allow Russian diesel exports, despite a US ban in place since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The senators issued a joint statement challenging the arrangement.
Trump announced the agreement with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Friday. It would release a large quantity of diesel in exchange for temporarily easing US sanctions. The move drew swift criticism from Ukraine, the EU and several American lawmakers.
Senators say the deal breaks a 2022 congressional ban
The statement said Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to stop American money from financing the war in Ukraine. The senators said the diesel decision runs directly counter to that law. They also accused the administration of failing to consult Congress or provide the explanation required by statute.
The statement was co-signed by Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden, and Republican senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis and Thom Tillis. They said the decision would give Putin a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians, and urged the administration to “immediately reverse course.”
Treasury secretary defends the diesel agreement
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the deal on Sunday in an interview with Fox News. He said: “We are going to do it with all the legal authorities we have.”
