Trump faces growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have criticised the deal, which was announced weeks before the US midterm elections.
Key points
- Trump announced Russia will supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with more shipments planned.
- Seven senators say the deal violates US laws banning Russian energy imports since 2022.
- The average US diesel price is $6.28 a gallon, down from a record $6.53.
US President Donald Trump is facing growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia, as the Iran war continues to affect global energy prices. On Friday, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately to the American and global marketplace, followed by several other shipments.
The move comes despite Trump signing legislation weeks ago authorizing fresh US sanctions and tariffs on nations that import Russian oil and gas. Some Republican and Democratic lawmakers believe the deal violates US laws.
Details of the diesel deal
Trump said that after the initial 300,000 tonnes, Russia would supply 500,000 tonnes in November and one million more after that. A further three million tonnes would be delivered within a short period, depending on the condition of Russian refineries that Ukraine has attacked.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the numbers to Tass, saying export volume could reach three million tonnes per month in future. The US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April as part of the deal, though other assets in American banks remain frozen.
The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians.
— the seven senators
Opposition from lawmakers
A group of seven senators, four Republicans and three Democrats, on Sunday said the deal violated US laws and urged Trump to reverse course. They said Congress had explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin's war against Ukraine.
The statement was signed by Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis, as well as Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin and an investment in a war that must be ended.
