Several senators call on Trump to halt Russian diesel deal, argue it's illegal

A bipartisan group of senators called Sunday for President Donald Trump to halt a proposed deal to import diesel supplies from Russia, arguing a 2022 law makes the plan illegal. 

The statement raising questions about the legality of the deal was signed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Curtis, R-Utah.

Last Friday, President Trump announced that Russia had agreed to immediately provide the United States with more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel and more in the future. The announcement came amid a global supply crunch for the refined fuel that has driven up prices in the United States ahead of the midterms. 

However, the Senators argue that the president’s plan runs afoul of a law passed in 2022 that restricted U.S. imports of Russian energy products amid that country’s invasion of Ukraine.  

“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine. Congress was clear: the U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies,” the Senators said in a statement. 

“President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law. The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute,” they said. “The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course.”

Under the law, the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022, the president can only end the prohibition on Russian energy imports after certifying to Congress that Russia has agreed to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian soil, does not pose an immediate threat to a country in the NATO alliance, and recognizes the right of the Ukrainian people to choose their own leaders. 

A bipartisan group of Senators called on Monday for President Donald Trump to halt a proposed deal to import diesel supplies from Russia, arguing a 2022 law makes the plan illegal. 

The statement raising questions about the legality of the deal was signed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Curtis, R-Utah.

Last Friday, President Trump announced that Russia had agreed to immediately provide the United States with more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel and more in the future. The announcement came amid a global supply crunch for the refined fuel that has driven up prices in the United States ahead of the midterms. 

However, the Senators argue that the president’s plan runs afoul of a law passed in 2022 that restricted U.S. imports of Russian energy products amid that country’s invasion of Ukraine.  

“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine. Congress was clear: the U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies,” the Senators said in a statement. 

“President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law. The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute,” they said. “The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course.”

Under the law, the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022, the president can only end the prohibition on Russian energy imports after certifying to Congress that Russia has agreed to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian soil, does not pose an immediate threat to a country in the NATO alliance, and recognizes the right of the Ukrainian people to choose their own leaders.