Twelve senators asked Trump to call off the diesel arrangement that permits Russia to place 4.8 million metric tons - nearly 36 million barrels - on the global market through mid-April. They wrote, "This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded," adding the plan "will not achieve just ends, nor will it benefit Americans."
The letter argued "Allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans." They also cautioned it "will have a negligible impact on fuel prices, but the revenues the Kremlin will receive from this agreement will undoubtedly finance its desired war of attrition and advance its security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea."
The senators said the diesel move clashes with a bipartisan Russia sanctions law Trump signed just weeks earlier, a measure that mandated the removal of then-current sanctions on Russia. "These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict," they wrote. They made a plain request, stating, "Withdraw from this agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute the authorities provided under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026."
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Republican signers were Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Alan Armstrong of Oklahoma, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and John Cornyn of Texas. Armstrong's background includes a stint as CEO of Williams Companies, described as the largest U.S. firm focused on natural gas. Democrats who joined were Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Richard Durbin of Illinois, Chris Coons of Delaware, and Rhode Island's Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed.
Collins, Murkowski, and Tillis had already teamed up with Democrats on Sunday urging Trump not to "provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians." Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah was also part of that Sunday push.
Trump unveiled the diesel arrangement on Friday after speaking with Vladimir Putin and said the move would quickly and sharply lower record-high diesel prices. Oil analysts disagree, saying the volume from Russia is unlikely to move prices in a meaningful way.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded with rare public criticism. Trump responded by asserting that Ukraine should get a new president. The White House did not immediately return a comment to CNBC about the lawmakers' letter.
The senators closed with a blunt line - "Putin is a tyrant" - and repeated their call to revoke the agreement, cancel General License No. 135, and invoke the authorities contained in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. They ended with, "Maintain our legacy - and the duty America holds - as leader of the free world."
Trump stood by his decision on Monday, posting, "I made the right choice for the American People - ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!" on Truth Social. For your wallet, here is the bottom line: the proposed shipments are 4.8 million metric tons, billed as nearly 36 million barrels, and a bipartisan group in the Senate is actively trying to block the plan.
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