US Senators accuse Trump of violating law over Russian diesel

Seven American senators from the Republican and Democratic parties called on US President Donald Trump to immediately revoke the decision to allow imports of Russian diesel fuel. In their opinion, the agreement with Moscow contradicts American law and could provide Russia with additional income to finance the war against Ukraine.

This is stated in a joint statement by the senators dated October 11, published on the website of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The document was signed by four Republicans—Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis—as well as three Democrats—Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.

The lawmakers reminded that in April 2022, Congress passed the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, which prohibited the import of Russian energy carriers to the US. Its goal was to limit Moscow's income that could be used to finance aggression against Ukraine.

According to the senators, the Trump administration's decision directly contradicts this law. In addition, the White House, according to them, did not hold mandatory consultations with Congress and did not provide explanations regarding the grounds for easing the restrictions.

The 2022 law provides for a special procedure for lifting the ban. The president must consult with the relevant congressional committees in advance and confirm in writing that Russia has fulfilled a number of conditions. Among them are an agreement on the withdrawal of Russian troops and the cessation of hostilities, acceptable to Ukraine, and the absence of a direct military threat to NATO countries.

The lifting of the ban can take effect only 90 days after the corresponding notification to Congress, unless lawmakers decide to reject it.

It will be recalled that on October 9, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury (OFAC) issued General License No. 135, which allows operations for the sale, delivery, unloading and import of Russian diesel fuel, particularly to the United States. The authorization is valid until April 7, 2027.

This decision was made after the agreement announced by Trump with Vladimir Putin to increase supplies of Russian diesel to the world market. The American administration hopes in this way to contain high fuel prices, which have become a serious economic problem ahead of the midterm elections to Congress.

However, the senators consider it unacceptable to provide Russia with additional opportunities to earn from energy exports while it continues the war against Ukraine. They emphasized that American funds should not become a source of financing for Russian aggression, and demanded an immediate review of the White House decision.

The dispute over Russian diesel is taking place amid increased American pressure on Kyiv over strikes on Russian oil refineries. Trump links these attacks to the rise in fuel prices and insists on their cessation.

At the same time, the senators' statement is so far a political and legal claim against the presidential administration, rather than a court ruling on the illegality of the permit. There is currently no official announcement about its revocation.

Based on materials from: US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, US Department of the Treasury, US law prohibiting imports of Russian energy carriers