Trump under fire from his own party over deal giving Putin a ‘financial lifeline’
Por Patricia Zengerle — – World RSS Feed
Trump under fire from his own party over deal giving Putin a ‘financial lifeline’
“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine,” stated a joint release
Patricia Zengerle Monday 12 October 2026 10:46 BST
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A bipartisan group of US senators has urged President Donald Trump to abandon a diesel supply agreement with Russia, warning that the arrangement violates federal law banning energy imports until Moscow halts its aggression against Ukraine.
“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine,” stated a joint release issued on Sunday by seven lawmakers, comprising four Republicans and three Democrats.
The senators also noted that the White House failed to consult Congress or provide a legally mandated explanation for its decision.
open image in gallery“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course,” the statement added.
The cross-party pushback represents a rare rift over Trump’s foreign policy just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
The statement was signed by Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and John Curtis of Utah, alongside Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and Ron Wyden of Oregon.
Tillis warned earlier on Sunday that the diesel arrangement might be unlawful and could put American lives at risk.
open image in galleryTrump announced on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets, prompting his administration to temporarily suspend US sanctions meant to deny Moscow fuel revenue for its war in Ukraine.
“I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law,” Tillis, who is retiring from the Senate in January, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
With diesel prices near record levels—impacting agriculture, home heating, and commercial transport—high fuel costs pose a political risk for Republicans in next month’s congressional votes. Industry analysts noted that the agreement with Moscow is unlikely to deliver lasting price reductions.
The White House defended the initiative on Sunday. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the administration would proceed using existing statutory authority, arguing the pact benefits the American public by reducing energy costs.
“We’re going to do it with all the legal authorities we have. So, you know, anyone in Congress who says whether it’s an old bill or the current Lindsey Graham bill (that) prohibits us from doing it is wrong,” Bessent told “Fox & Friends.”
open image in galleryTrump last month signed a broad Russia sanctions measure into law, titled the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” named after the South Carolina Republican and long-standing defense hawk who died in July.
Other Republicans have expressed concern over the plan. Retiring Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska wrote on X on Friday that “propping up Putin’s war economy is morally wrong as he uses that money to bomb cities.”
Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president, described the decision to lift sanctions as a “betrayal” of Graham’s legacy and urged the president to “rescind” it.
Amid falling approval ratings, congressional Republicans have increasingly separated themselves from the administration on various matters, ranging from policy toward Iran to trade disputes with Canada.
However, Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the Senate’s second-ranking Republican, supported the deal during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” emphasizing Trump’s focus on lowering consumer costs.
“The president is balancing and has to make tough decisions,” Barrasso said.
open image in galleryInternational figures also weighed in. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a Sunday phone call that the deal “is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada, and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe,” according to a statement from Carney’s office.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump claimed that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to what he described as an “energy ceasefire” effective immediately, though he provided no details.
Zelenskiy said he was awaiting further information regarding the announcement.
“Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well,” Zelenskiy posted on Telegram.
Moscow has not commented on the assertion, which follows weeks of American pressure on Ukraine to suspend strikes targeting Russian oil refineries.
More about
Donald TrumpVolodymyr ZelenskyUkraineRussiaVladimir PutinIran
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