Bipartisan coalition says Russian diesel deal is a "betrayal"

A bipartisan group of senators wrote in a letter urging against the agreement that President Trump's deal to lift sanctions on Russia to boost diesel supply is a "betrayal of the Ukrainian people" and a "gift to our enemy." Why it matters: The decision to turn to Vladimir Putin in an effort to ease the diesel crisis, ahead of midterm elections, adds to Republican grievances and fuels new friction between the United States and Ukraine.

In a letter recommending the deal, a bipartisan coalition of senators wrote that President Trump's agreement to lift sanctions against Russia to increase diesel supplies is "a betrayal of the people of Ukraine" and "a gift to our enemy." Why it matters: The decision to turn to Vladimir Putin in an effort to ease the gas crisis has piled on Republican pain ahead of the midterm elections and fueled fresh friction between the United States and Ukraine.