A bipartisan group of six senators on Sunday called for President Donald Trump’s administration to reverse its plan to purchase diesel from Russia as part of efforts to lower fuel prices. Trump announced on social media Friday that he reached a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global market, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons thereafter. An additional 3 million tons is expected to be delivered shortly after that.
The statement protesting the deal was signed by four Republican senators and two Democratic senators, who stated that the administration did not consult Congress or provide justification for the decision as required by law. They emphasized that the U.S. should not financially support Putin while Russia continues military actions against Ukraine.
The Republican senators who signed the statement include Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and John Curtis of Utah. The Democratic senators are Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
Tillis, in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” indicated that the president may not be adhering to the law if the diesel purchase proceeds. He stated that Russia is the aggressor and has the ability to end the war by withdrawing from occupied territories.
Trump's announcement followed recent legislation directing him to impose tariffs on major importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with exceptions for countries importing less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and taking steps to reduce those imports. This legislation aimed to limit the financial resources available to Russia for its military actions in Ukraine.
The senators noted that Congress had explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to avoid financing the war. They stated, "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."
Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming commented that Trump is focused on reducing energy costs and suggested that the president is making difficult decisions. He also urged Trump to enforce the sanctions law passed by Congress last month, viewing the situation as leverage against Putin for a long-term resolution in the region.
Trump has recently attributed record U.S. diesel prices to the situation in Ukraine rather than the U.S.-led conflict in Iran, which has contributed to rising global energy prices.