Republican and Democratic Senators Call for Cancellation of U.S. Diesel Deal with Russia
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A bipartisan group of twelve senators urged President Donald Trump to end a temporary arrangement allowing Russia to export diesel, arguing it would not lower U.S. fuel prices and would fund Russia's war effort.
Six Republican senators joined six Democratic colleagues in a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to cancel a temporary agreement that permits Russia to export about 4.8 million metric tons of diesel fuel through mid-April. The lawmakers said the arrangement would provide limited relief to American consumers while generating revenue for the Kremlin that could support its military operations and broader security partnerships.
The Republican signatories include Sens. Thom Tillis (North Carolina), Susan Collins (Maine), Alan Armstrong (Oklahoma), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) and John Cornyn (Texas). The Democratic members are Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Dick Durbin (Illinois), Chris Coons (Delaware), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Jack Reed (Rhode Island). Armstrong previously led an energy company, Williams Companies.
In the letter, the senators wrote that the deal “will not achieve just ends, nor will it benefit Americans,” adding that “allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans” and that the revenues “will undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea.”
The White House has not responded to requests for comment. Earlier statements from some of the Republican senators had also warned that the arrangement could provide a financial lifeline to Russia while the country continues its war in Ukraine.