Senators Accuse Trump of Violating US Law with Putin Diesel Deal

Donald Trump is facing mounting criticism over plans to import diesel from Russia, as the Iran War continues to disrupt global energy markets and drive fuel prices higher. The US president announced on Friday that Vladimir Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately "to the American and global marketplace", with further shipments to follow. The move comes just weeks after Trump signed legislation authorising fresh sanctions and tariffs on nations importing Russian oil and gas.

Trump said Russia would supply 500,000 tonnes in November, followed by a further million tonnes and then three million more, delivered "within a short period" subject to the condition of its refineries—which have been attacked by Ukraine during Russia's unprovoked invasion. "Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the figures to Tass, the state-owned news agency, saying export volumes could reach three million tonnes a month in future.

The deal has drawn condemnation from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who believe it violates US law. A group of seven senators—four Republicans and three Democrats—said on Sunday that the agreement broke American statutes and urged Trump to reverse course. "The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians," they said. Congress, they added, 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 Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis and John Curtis, along with Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, called the deal a gift to Putin amounting to "an investment in a war that must be ended". It is understood the US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April under the arrangement, though other Russian assets held in American banks remain frozen. Not all Republicans object: Thomas Massie, who has clashed with Trump on several issues, argued the US should lift sanctions on all petroleum products. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News the agreement would work through existing legal channels to bring prices down, and dismissed congressional criticism as mistaken.

Global fuel prices have soared since the US-Israel war with Iran began at the end of February, with the fighting severely disrupting supplies of crude oil—the key ingredient in petrol and diesel. The resulting inflation has become a central issue for Americans ahead of next month's midterm elections, which will determine whether Trump's Republican Party retains control of Congress. Polls show a majority of Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy and the Iran War, and the White House has been searching for ways to ease the political pain. Agricultural states, which rely heavily on diesel for farming machinery and transport, have felt the strain acutely. The average US diesel price stands at $6.28 a gallon, according to AAA, down from the record $6.53 recorded at the end of September.

Analysts have questioned whether Russia can supply such quantities and how far the shipments would ease prices for American consumers. The US consumes roughly 3.6 million barrels of diesel a day, so even the promised 300,000 tonnes this month would amount to approximately half of daily consumption. Opposition is not confined to Washington. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting have both criticised the arrangement, with Streeting arguing that the US and other allies of Ukraine should focus on increasing pressure on Russia to end the war.

Meanwhile, Trump announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had reached an "energy ceasefire", without providing further details. Zelensky welcomed the development, though Moscow has yet to respond. The World House, which maintains a dedicated page outlining its support for Ukraine at worldhouse.uk/support, continues to document the consequences of Russia's aggression and the international response it demands.