Trump’s Diesel Deal With Putin Runs Into The Ban Congress Passed On Russian Energy

A group of four Republican and two Democratic senators are saying that President Donald Trump’s plan to import Russian diesel breaks a 2022 law that bans Russian energy imports.

The Treasury Department issued a license Friday allowing Russian diesel into the U.S. through April 7, 2027, after Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to ship millions of tons of the fuel to bring down near-record prices. Two days later, a half dozen senators across both parties said the deal violated a Biden-era law signed months after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

“Congress was clear: the U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies,” a bipartisan group of senators said Sunday. “President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law.”

“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course,” the senators added.

They also said the administration failed to consult Congress or submit the explanation the law requires.

The statement’s signers included Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah, along with Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. All four of the Republicans who signed the statement are widely considered to be from the party’s moderate faction.

The offices of Tillis and Shaheen did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s requests for comment. Treasury did not immediately say whether it consulted Congress before issuing the license.

The Treasury Department referred the DCNF to an Oct. 10 post on X from its Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, which said, “The granting of this general license is consistent with similar actions previously taken by OFAC and is in compliance with all applicable laws.”

The Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, which President Joe Biden signed in April 2022, bans imports of Russian energy products. The president can lift the ban only by certifying to Congress that Russia has reached an agreement, accepted by Ukraine, to withdraw its forces and end hostilities, among other conditions.