Trump puts American consumers first as critics object to temporary Russian diesel sanctions relief
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President Donald Trump defended a temporary easing of restrictions on Russian diesel exports, saying it serves American interests, while lawmakers and Ukraine’s president argued it could aid Russia during its war.
President Donald Trump defended a decision to temporarily lift restrictions on Russian diesel fuel exports, saying the move was in the interest of American consumers and reflecting a hard-headed focus on U.S. priorities. In a post on his social-media platform, Trump said the media had overlooked the European Union’s purchases of Russian energy, noting that the bloc had spent roughly $250 billion on Russian fossil fuels since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He added that the choice was "the right choice for the American People" and underscored that policy should serve national interests first.
Lawmakers from both parties expressed concern that the policy could provide financial support to Russia while its war in Ukraine continues. A group of seven senators, including four Republicans, issued a joint statement urging that the United States not lift the ban on Russian energy imports until President Vladimir Putin ends the conflict. Representative Michael McCaul, R-Texas, warned that easing sanctions on Russian oil could fund the Kremlin’s war effort.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also criticized the decision, saying the United States’ easing of sanctions "plays into Russia's hands."