Republicans Join Democrats In Demanding Trump Reverse Russian Diesel Deal As Trump Insists He ‘Made The Right Choice’

HELSINKI, FINLAND – JULY 16: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a joint press conference after their summit on July 16, 2018 in Helsinki, Finland. The two leaders met one-on-one and discussed a range of issues including the 2016 U.S Election collusion. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump is defending his agreement to let Russia sell diesel fuel on U.S. and global markets, even as a growing number of Republicans join Democrats in calling for him to reverse course.

“I made the right choice for the American People—always America first,” Trump wrote on Monday, Oct. 12.

Trump announced on Friday that, following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow would “immediately” supply 300,000 tons of diesel. The Treasury Department then issued a temporary license effectively lifting sanctions on Russian diesel exports. The White House has framed the move as relief for farmers, ranchers and truckers hit by fuel prices that have soared since the war with Iran began in February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly blasted the agreement as “weak” and a gift to Putin.

On Sunday, four Republican and three Democratic senators released a joint statement arguing that the deal violates a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports until Russia ends its aggression against Ukraine. The lawmakers also faulted the administration for failing to consult Congress and demanded it “immediately reverse course.”

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The statement was signed by GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah, along with Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

Tillis went further on NBC’s Meet the Press, saying there is “a legitimate case” that Trump is not following the law and warning that Putin “cannot be trusted.” Collins said the president is not following the sweeping Russia sanctions law he signed just three weeks ago, which she co-sponsored. Murkowski argued Trump should be using that law’s new powers instead.

In the House, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) announced plans for a bipartisan bill, dubbed the “Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act,” to block all purchases of Russian oil. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has signed on as a co-sponsor.

Not every Republican is opposed. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News the administration is acting within its legal authority, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) defended the president on CBS’ Face the Nation.

The deal has also deepened tensions with Kyiv. Zelenskyy’s criticism prompted Trump to say over the weekend that it is “time for Ukraine to get a new President.”

On Sunday, Trump claimed Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy cease-fire. But Zelenskyy said Monday that overnight Russian strikes had hit energy facilities and wounded 33 people, calling the attacks “Putin’s answer to Trump.”

European leaders have also criticized the deal. E.U. foreign ministers adopted nearly 1,600 new sanctions targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex on Monday, while officials from Lithuania, Latvia, Ireland, Sweden and Estonia warned the agreement would help fund Russia’s war. British and Canadian leaders likewise voiced opposition.

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