Bipartisan group of senators demands Trump kill Russian diesel deal
Por Jalen Beckford — POLITICO – TOP Stories
A bipartisan group of senators is calling on President Donald Trump to “immediately reverse course” on his decision to allow Russian diesel imports, accusing the administration of violating federal law and handing Moscow a financial lifeline as it wages war against Ukraine.
“President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law,” the senators said in a statement released Sunday, citing Congress’ 2022 ban on Russian energy imports. “The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute.”
The rebuke includes four Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Thom Tillis (N.C.) and John Curtis (Utah) — along with Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.). Shaheen is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Trump announced Friday that Russia would supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel fuel “to the American and Global Marketplace” following a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Treasury Department subsequently issued a general license allowing Russian diesel imports into the U.S. through April 2027.
The move comes as Trump scrambles to try to bring down fuel prices ahead of the midterms, with the Iran war — now in its seventh month — contributing to the surge in costs. In September, the average price of diesel hit a record $6.53 per gallon, according to AAA.
“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians,” the senators wrote. “The Administration must immediately reverse course.”
Tillis, a Republican who frequently splits with the Trump administration, had already questioned the deal’s legality Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” pointing to the 2022 law’s conditions for lifting the import ban, including a full Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.
“I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law,” Tillis said. “We were very clear that Russia is the aggressor. Russia is the one who can end this war by backing out of territory they occupied.”
The White House, responding to Tillis’ earlier criticism, pointed POLITICO to a Trump Truth Social post declaring “an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine.” The president provided no details or evidence that Moscow had agreed.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the senators’ joint statement.
The diesel agreement also overshadowed talks between U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators in Miami on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that easing sanctions without a lasting de-escalation agreement would signal weakness.
Cheyanne Daniels contributed to this reporting.
Fonte: POLITICO – TOP Stories