Politics & Diplomacy
Russian diesel: Democrats and Republicans turn on the Trump-Putin deal: “It will only lead to more slaughter”
Lawmakers from both parties criticised Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin on October 10, warning that it may fund Russia’s war in Ukraine, undermine the sanctions Congress has just passed and even break the law.
Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin, which opens markets to Russian diesel, drew fierce criticism from Democrats and Republicans in Congress on October 10. According to the Kyiv Independent, House members and senators warn that the move could finance Russia’s war in Ukraine and undermine the sanctions they have just passed.
“Cannot simply ignore that law”
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, raised the question of legality. “Congress banned Russian energy imports in 2022. The president cannot simply ignore that law to buy diesel from Putin,” she said, adding that the law requires consultation with Congress and a formal review process, which the administration “appears to have bypassed”. The 2022 law ties the lifting of the ban to a withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
Among Republicans, Senator Lisa Murkowski recalled that a few weeks ago Congress overwhelmingly passed increased sanctions and tariffs on Russia. “The president should be using those authorities instead of allowing Russia to export diesel, rake in revenues and continue its catastrophic war in Ukraine,” she wrote. The law, named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham and signed on September 18, allows tariffs of up to 100%.
“Putin’s blood money”
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal called for the deal to be rescinded immediately and warned American companies considering taking “Putin’s blood money” that “Congress is watching”. He called the agreement “a stain on our nation’s character” and “an insult to Lindsey Graham’s memory”, saying it “will lead to the slaughter of more innocents in Ukraine”.
Senator Mark Kelly asked: “Whose side is Trump on?” Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said the deal “won’t actually bring down prices” and that “we’re now funding the war against Ukraine.”
Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced bipartisan legislation to block “any and all purchases of Russian oil”, which, he wrote, “will be forced to the Floor via discharge and it will pass overwhelmingly”. Republican Rep. Don Bacon also opposed the deal: “Buying Russian fuel is the wrong answer,” he said.
Trump: “Putin wants a deal”
Trump presents the deal as a way to bring down fuel prices before the midterm elections on November 3. He repeated that Putin would like a deal to end the war, unlike, he said, Zelensky, about whom he had already said that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president.
