US President Donald Trump is facing growing opposition at home and abroad over plans to import diesel from Russia, with lawmakers warning that the agreement could violate American sanctions and provide fresh funding for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Trump announced on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately for the American and global markets, followed by several additional shipments.
The agreement comes weeks after Trump signed legislation authorising new US sanctions and tariffs against countries importing Russian oil and gas.
Seven senators from both major parties have called on the administration to reverse the decision, arguing that American energy purchases should not help finance Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement on Sunday.
They argued that Congress had “explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine.
The statement was signed by Republican senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis, alongside Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also condemned the agreement, describing it as a gift to Putin and an investment in a war that must be ended.
Under the proposed arrangement, Russia would initially release 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another one million tonnes afterwards.
Trump said a further three million tonnes could be delivered within a short period, depending on the condition of Russian refineries, several of which have been targeted by Ukrainian strikes.
“Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the proposed volumes to state-owned news agency Tass, adding that exports could eventually reach three million tonnes per month.
The US Treasury is understood to be temporarily suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7 as part of the arrangement. Other Russian assets, including those frozen in American banks, remain restricted.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the agreement during an interview saying it would operate through existing legal channels and help reduce fuel prices.
He rejected claims from lawmakers that the arrangement was unlawful.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie also expressed support for easing restrictions, arguing that Washington should remove sanctions on all petroleum products.
Trump’s decision comes as the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to disrupt global crude oil supplies, pushing up petrol and diesel prices.
The fighting, which began at the end of February, has increased pressure on the Trump administration ahead of next month’s midterm elections, which will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress.
Opinion polls indicate that most Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy and the Iran war.
The impact has been particularly severe in agricultural states, where farmers depend heavily on diesel to operate machinery and transport produce.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average US diesel price stands at $6.28 per gallon, down from a record $6.53 at the end of September.
Analysts have questioned whether Russia can deliver the promised quantities and how much the additional supply would reduce prices for American consumers.
The United States consumes approximately 3.6 million barrels of diesel daily. Even if Russia delivers the initial 300,000 tonnes, the shipment would represent roughly half a day’s American consumption.
The agreement has also drawn criticism from international leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.
Streeting argued that Washington and other allies of Ukraine should instead increase pressure on Russia to end the war.
The dispute comes as Trump announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire covering attacks on energy infrastructure.
Zelensky welcomed the proposal but said Ukraine was awaiting further details from Washington and would suspend strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow made the same commitment.
Russia had not publicly confirmed the proposed energy ceasefire at the time of the announcement.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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