Trump Defends Russia Diesel Deal as Bipartisan Senators Cite 2022 Energy Import Ban
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 12
Trump Defends Russia Diesel Deal as Bipartisan Senators Cite 2022 Energy Import Ban
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 12
Summary
Trump on Monday stood by his Russia diesel deal, saying it was needed to curb high fuel prices after his administration temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel.
A bipartisan group of senators urged him to reverse course, arguing the arrangement may breach a 2022 U.S. law banning Russian energy imports until Moscow ends its aggression in Ukraine.
Trump has blamed Ukraine's refinery strikes for the price surge, but Zelenskiy said diesel costs instead reflect disruption around the Strait of Hormuz after Trump's war against Iran.
The dispute widened after Trump and Zelenskiy clashed over the weekend, even as Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt attacks on each other's energy infrastructure.