Senators urge Trump to rescind Russian diesel deal

Twelve senators from both parties urged President Trump on Tuesday to cancel a diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that it would bolster Moscow’s war in Ukraine while doing little to lower Americans’ fuel costs.

“This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our allies; it should be rescinded,” the six Republicans and six Democrats wrote in a letter to Trump. They also called on him to reverse a temporary waiver of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, which CBS News reported the Treasury Department announced to allow Russian diesel onto the global market.

Trump announced the agreement last week. According to NPR, he said Russia would supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global market, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter.” Trump also said Russia would deliver another 3 million tons within a short period, depending on the condition of its diesel refineries. CBS News reported that Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to American and global markets.

The arrangement comes as Americans face high gasoline and diesel prices amid the war with Iran. The senators acknowledged an “urgent need” to bring down energy costs but argued that putting Russian diesel on global markets would offer “limited to no relief to Americans.” In the letter, they said the effect on fuel prices would be negligible, while the revenue would help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran and North Korea.

“The deal you struck with President Vladimir Putin on October 9th will not achieve just ends, nor will it benefit Americans,” the senators wrote. They said a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and security and its people’s right to choose their future.

Asked about the letter, the White House referred NPR to remarks Trump made Tuesday when reporters asked whether Russia could use proceeds from the deal to buy weapons. “Nobody’s telling me anything,” Trump said. “That’s a diesel deal. Not for us. That’s being released into the world.” He said the diesel was intended for a world market suffering from high prices.

The senators also pressed Trump to use powers provided by Russia sanctions legislation he signed into law. They argued that applying economic pressure to Moscow would strengthen his position in negotiations to end the war. CBS News reported that Congress approved the package last month; NPR described legislation passed this summer directing the president to impose significant tariffs on major importers of Russian oil.

The Republican signers were Alan Armstrong of Oklahoma, Susan Collins of Maine, John Cornyn of Texas, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The Democrats were Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Chris Coons of Delaware, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.