Trump’s Russian diesel import deal draws bipartisan criticism before midterms
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President Donald Trump announced a six-month temporary licence for Russian diesel imports after a phone call with Vladimir Putin, saying the deal could help reduce US fuel costs. It has drawn criticism from both parties, including Republican senators, over whether it would provide revenue to Russia while its war in Ukraine continues, and whether the move complies with US law.
US diesel reached a reported record $6.53 per gallon last month and later fell to $6.28, while petrol peaked at $4.50 and stood at $4.34 on Tuesday. Seven senators, including Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis and Thom Tillis, said Congress had banned Russian energy imports in 2022 and argued it should have been consulted. Trump defended the deal as serving Americans’ interests and cited European purchases of Russian energy, though the article text ends before detailing further reactions.
- Trump announced a six-month licence for Russian diesel imports.
- Critics say the move could fund Russia’s war and breach US law.
- US diesel hit a reported record $6.53 per gallon last month.
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The United States banned imports of Russian energy in 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The ban was intended to restrict a source of income for the Russian government, while energy prices remained a concern for households and businesses.
Donald Trump is the US president, and Vladimir Putin leads Russia. Congress, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives, passes federal laws; senators from both parties have questioned whether the import arrangement fits the existing ban and why lawmakers were not consulted.
Diesel is widely used by lorries, farm machinery and other vehicles, so changes in its price can affect transport and the cost of goods. The dispute also comes before US midterm elections, when voters choose members of Congress and fuel costs can become a prominent political issue.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that temporarily allowing Russian diesel imports may ease fuel costs for American households and businesses at a time of unusually high prices. Trump’s comparison with European purchases also raises a question about whether the US should bear higher costs while allies continue buying Russian energy.
The case against
Critics could argue that Congress banned Russian energy imports in 2022, so bypassing that policy without consulting lawmakers raises legal and democratic concerns. They also contend that buying Russian diesel could provide revenue to a government waging war in Ukraine, while the reported price easing does not establish that the deal is necessary to lower costs.
Full account
US President Donald Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties, putting Republican senators in the position of challenging their president ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. The measure, announced after a telephone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, involves a temporary US Treasury licence allowing Russian diesel to be sold on the world market for six months.
The dispute comes as fuel costs have risen sharply. One report puts US diesel at a record $6.53 a gallon last month, later easing to $6.28, and petrol at $4.50 before falling to $4.34. Higher fuel costs affect household budgets directly and can also raise the price of goods through transport charges. The reports link pressure on supply to the war with Iran and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as attacks on energy infrastructure.
A group of senators from both parties has urged Trump to withdraw the licence, arguing that sales would provide revenue to the Kremlin while Russia continues its war against Ukraine. They also contend the arrangement would offer little relief to US consumers and could undermine American security interests. Their letter included six Republicans and six Democrats. Separately, seven senators, including four Republicans, issued a joint statement warning against giving Putin a financial lifeline. Republican lawmakers cited across the reports include Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis and Thom Tillis; the letter’s signatories also included Mitch McConnell, Alan Armstrong, John Cornyn and several Democrats.
Trump defended the decision as serving American interests and said Russian diesel was being released into the global market, not specifically for the United States. He argued that other countries, including European Union members, had bought Russian energy, citing a figure of $250 billion. The reports differ in emphasis: one foregrounds fuel-price pressures and the political risk to Republicans before the elections, while the other focuses on the senators’ formal demand to rescind Treasury General License No. 135 and their warning that the price impact would be negligible. The available accounts do not establish how much the licence will affect prices or Russian revenues.
Where outlets differ
The first report describes a six-month temporary licensing arrangement and stresses domestic fuel prices and electoral consequences; the second identifies it as Treasury General License No. 135 and centres on a bipartisan letter seeking its rescission.
The first says a separate joint statement was signed by seven senators, including four Republicans, and quotes its warning about a financial lifeline. The second details a 12-member letter, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, and quotes its claims about limited price relief and security risks.
The second report records Trump saying the diesel would enter the world market rather than go directly to the United States. The first instead highlights his defence of the deal as “America First” and his comparison with European purchases of Russian energy.
More coverage
- Sky News — PM pledges 'rock-solid' support ahead of Zelenskyy visit after Trump's diesel deal with Russia
- The Hill — Hinson breaks with Trump on Russia diesel deal
- Fox News — Bipartisan senators demand Trump scrap Russia diesel deal, call it 'betrayal' of US allies
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin sparks panic among Republicans ahead of midterm elections”.