Trump defends Russian diesel deal as lawmakers call it illegal

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Seven senators, including 4 Republicans, say the White House violated a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports and failed to consult Congress

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President Donald Trump defended his decision to temporarily ease restrictions on Russian diesel fuel exports on Monday, pushing back against bipartisan criticism that the arrangement violates federal law. In a Truth Social post, Trump argued the deal was in the American interest and accused the media of hypocrisy over European purchases of Russian energy. "The European Union paid Russia 250 Billion Dollars for Energy, and the Fake News Media doesn't want to get near that story," he wrote, according to CNBC. "I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!"

A bipartisan group of seven senators — four of them Republicans — went public Sunday with a demand that the White House abandon the arrangement. The group — Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and John Curtis (R-UT) — cited the ban on Russian energy imports that Congress passed in 2022, arguing it was specifically designed to keep U.S. money from flowing to the Kremlin’s war effort in Ukraine. "President Trump's decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law," they said in the statement, noting further that the White House had bypassed congressional consultation and omitted the formal justification the statute demands, according to CNN.

Under the arrangement, which Trump unveiled Friday, Russia would deliver over 300,000 tons of diesel into global energy markets, with a further 500,000 tons committed for November, according to CNN. Trump has framed the arrangement as a way to bring down elevated diesel prices ahead of November midterm elections, though energy market analysts say the volumes involved are unlikely to move global prices, according to CNN.

Pushback extended beyond the Senate. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) said Friday he was concerned the easing of sanctions would "fund the Kremlin's war machine," according to CNBC. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), facing a competitive reelection race, said he would introduce legislation to block any purchases of Russian oil and pursue a discharge petition requiring 218 House signatures to force the bill to a floor vote, according to CNN.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, appearing on Sunday television, backed the deal, insisting Trump came into office with a mandate to work for the American people and that the purchase fell within the administration's legal authorities, according to CNN. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso argued that the sanctions bill Congress passed last month, spearheaded by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was intended to give the president another “point of leverage” over Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to CNN.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that easing sanctions on Moscow "plays into Russia's hands," according to CNBC.

The diesel dispute unfolded alongside Trump's declaration of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which sent oil prices swinging Monday. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was awaiting details and would observe the truce only if Moscow halted its attacks first, after Russian forces struck energy infrastructure in Ukraine following Trump's announcement.

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