The US Congress has begun preparations for a possible investigation into President Donald Trump's agreement with Russia on diesel fuel supplies. Influential lawmakers have demanded that major American banks and ports preserve documents related to transactions involving Russian petroleum products, warning of possible violations of federal law.
Axios reported this on October 26, having obtained a letter from congressmen. If the Democratic Party gains a majority in at least one chamber of Congress in the upcoming elections, a review of the Trump administration's arrangements with Moscow could become one of the priorities of parliamentary oversight.
Lawmakers sent demands to six major American banks and the administrations of four ports through which Russian diesel could potentially be imported.
The letter dated October 24 was received by JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. Similar requests were sent to the port administrations of Houston, Beaumont, and Corpus Christi in Texas, as well as the ports of New York and New Jersey.
The authors of the request include Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Gregory Meeks, as well as Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
Several signatories may chair influential congressional committees after the November elections if Democrats gain a majority. These include committees on foreign affairs, banking, finance, and judiciary.
In the official letter from lawmakers, it is stated that the import of Russian diesel fuel into the US raises serious legal questions and could become the subject of litigation and congressional investigations.
The authors of the document demand preservation of all materials related to alleged or completed transactions: contracts, invoices, payment documents, information on shipments, tanker movements, customs clearance, and negotiations with intermediaries.
Separately, correspondence with representatives of US government agencies dating from September 1, 2026, must be preserved.
Banks and port administrations must confirm in writing by October 28 that documents are preserved and report whether they were involved in the preparation or implementation of Russian diesel supplies.
In addition, lawmakers urged companies to refrain from purchasing, transporting, unloading, storing, financing, and distributing Russian fuel until legal issues are resolved. The warning also applies to operations related to supplies to other countries.
Lawmakers believe that such deals could provide Russia with additional revenues that could be used to finance the war against Ukraine.
Democrats Consider the Deal Contrary to US Law
The main point of contention has become the Trump administration's decision to allow operations with Russian diesel despite restrictions imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On October 9, Trump announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin to increase supplies of Russian diesel fuel to the American and global markets. The US President explained the agreement as necessary to reduce fuel prices amid a global energy crisis.
On the same day, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License No. 135.
The document permits transactions involving the sale, delivery, unloading, and import of diesel fuel of Russian origin, including supplies directly to the United States. The authorization is valid until April 7, 2027.
However, the authors of the request point out that a US law from 2022 prohibits imports of Russian energy products. The lifting of this prohibition is subject to special conditions, including the cessation of hostilities by Russia against Ukraine and consultations with Congress.
According to lawmakers, the Trump administration has not fulfilled the necessary requirements. They also refer to provisions of the CAATSA law governing changes to sanctions policy regarding Russia.
The letter warns that companies involved in importing Russian fuel in violation of the law could face civil and criminal liability.
The US Treasury Department, for its part, insists on the legality of the issued authorization.
The White House also rejected criticism from Democrats. Taylor Rogers, an administration spokesperson, told Axios that the president's opponents have again focused on investigations against Trump instead of solving Americans' problems.
Russian Tanker Already Headed Toward the US
Preparations for a possible investigation come amid the first reports of an actual resumption of Russian petroleum product supplies to the American market.
According to S&P Global Energy, on October 22, the tanker Agioi Fanendes under the flag of Malta departed from the Russian port of Primorsk carrying about 40 thousand tons of diesel fuel.
According to vessel tracking data, the tanker initially indicated New York as its destination, where it is expected to arrive on November 6–7. The route may still change, and information about the buyer of the cargo has not been disclosed.
The Russian side claims that such supplies will become regular. However, independent confirmation of Russian diesel arriving at American ports has not yet been made.
Earlier, Kurs.com.ua reported on the agreement between Trump and Putin and the easing of American sanctions restrictions. The agreement was subsequently criticized by representatives of both parties in Congress, as well as by a number of European leaders.
The current demand to preserve banking and transport documents represents a new stage of opposition to the agreement. No official investigation has yet begun, but the collected information may serve as its evidentiary basis after the congressional elections on November 3.
