7 US Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Russia Diesel Deal as Treasury Defends Its Legality
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 11
7 US Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Russia Diesel Deal as Treasury Defends Its Legality
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 11
Summary
Seven bipartisan senators — four Republicans and three Democrats — urged Donald Trump to scrap his Russia diesel deal, saying it violates the 2022 ban on Russian energy imports and should have been explained to Congress.
The lawmakers said the arrangement would send US money to Moscow while Russia continues its war in Ukraine; Senator Thom Tillis said the president may not be following the law and warned the deal could put American lives at risk.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the plan on Sunday, saying the administration has legal authority to proceed and that Russian diesel supplies would lower near-record fuel costs hurting consumers and Republicans before the Nov. 3 midterms.
Analysts have said the agreement is unlikely to deliver lasting price relief, and criticism has spread beyond the Senate, with former Vice President Mike Pence and retiring Representative Don Bacon also urging Trump to reverse course.
Canada's Mark Carney told Volodymyr Zelenskiy the deal undercuts allied efforts on Ukraine, while Trump separately claimed an immediate Russia-Ukraine 'energy ceasefire' that Kyiv said still lacked details.