A bipartisan group of senators urged President Trump to reverse his decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, warning the agreement would provide Putin with a financial lifeline for his war in Ukraine while doing little to lower energy costs for Americans. Led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, the letter argued the deal contradicts recent Congressional legislation intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow. Signatories included Republicans Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, and Alan Armstrong, alongside Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed, Chris Coons, and Blumenthal himself.
The lawmakers contended that allowing Russian diesel into global markets would have a negligible impact on fuel prices. Instead, the revenue would benefit Russia and "undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran and North Korea." The letter highlighted divisions within the Republican party regarding confronting Moscow, notably absent were Senator Darline Graham, who championed the original sanctions legislation, and Senator Katie Britt, who supports applying maximum pressure on Russia. Senator Roger Wicker, a staunch Ukraine supporter, was meeting with President Zelensky in Kyiv at the time of the announcement.
The senators urged Trump to exercise the recently granted sanctions authorities to reverse the move and increase pressure on Russia.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing