Republicans Condemn Trump's Diesel Deal with Putin Amid Growing Backlash

One Republican senator said: “We were quite clear that Russia is the aggressor. Russia is the one who can end this war by withdrawing from the territory it occupies.”

US President Donald Trump is facing growing calls from within his own party to reverse his plan to import diesel fuel from Russia in an effort to stabilize global energy markets, with lawmakers arguing that the move would run counter to a 2022 law banning Russian oil imports.

"Congress expressly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent U.S. dollars from financing Putin's brutal war against Ukraine. Congress was clear: The United States must not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against NATO allies," said a bipartisan joint statement released Sunday by four Republican and three Democratic Republican senators.

Lawmakers argued that Trump's decision to allow imports of Russian diesel into the United States was "in direct violation of that law" and criticized the lack of congressional oversight, asserting that the administration failed to consult with Congress or provide any explanation for its decision. "The United States should not provide a financial bailout for Russian President [Vladimir] Putin while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The administration must change course immediately," they stressed.

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

Trump said on Friday that he had reached an agreement with Stepputin from Moscow to supply "immediately" 300,000 tons of diesel to the US and world markets. The move comes amid renewed efforts by the administration to lower energy prices for Americans, which have risen sharply since the start of the Iran war in February. Rising diesel prices have shaken the loyalty of some of Trump's staunchest supporters, and farmers tell TIME their day-to-day operations have been severely affected.

Following the diesel deal, Trump claimed on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had "agreed" to an energy truce that was "effective immediately." However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said on Monday that Russia's overnight attacks - which reportedly killed several people and wounded dozens - also included attacks on energy facilities.

"So Russia violated the energy ceasefire announced by President Trump," Zelensky said. Now, this is Putin's answer to Trump - Russian attacks. But we are waiting. We are waiting for the details of the conversation between the Americans and the Russians. We are waiting to see what specific measures the Americans are ready to take." Over the weekend, Trump responded to Zelensky's initial criticism of the gas deal, telling reporters, "It's time for Ukraine to elect a new president."

American lawmakers, who are pushing back on Trump's plan for Russian diesel, have warned strongly against trusting Putin.

During an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press, Senator Tillis expressed concern that the diesel deal could put American lives at risk. "These are bad guys hanging out with bad guys and putting American lives at risk, especially special operators and forward-deployed personnel," Tillis said, stressing that Putin can't be trusted.

He also doubled down on his argument that the president's deal may violate legislation passed by Congress because it completely banned Russian oil imports unless certain criteria were met, including Russia's complete withdrawal from Ukraine.

"I believe there is a legitimate reason to say the president is not following the law," Tillis said. We were very clear that Russia is the aggressor. "Russia is the one who can end this war by withdrawing from the territory it has occupied."

Just three weeks ago, Trump signed into law a sweeping Russia sanctions bill aimed at targeting the country's financial institutions and the energy industry, which largely financed the invasion of Ukraine. This bill is named after Senator Lindsay O. Graham, the late Republican senator who spent the last year of his life championing the measure, was named.

Some Republican lawmakers cited the law when criticizing the diesel plan. "Instead of allowing Russia to export diesel, make money, and continue its disastrous war in Ukraine, the president should use these authorities," Murkowski said.

Collins said: I disagree with President Trump's decision to lift sanctions on the purchase of diesel from Russia. I was one of the cosponsors of the Russia sanctions law that the president recently signed, but now he is not following it.

Ambassador Arjan has contacted the White House to comment.

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania announced Saturday that he plans to introduce a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing Trump from lifting sanctions on Russian oil.

We will introduce bipartisan legislation to prevent Russian oil purchases. It will be called the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Power Act, Fitzpatrick said.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a Republican who has clashed with Trump on other major issues, said he had already agreed to co-sponsor the bill and insisted that "Congress needs to take a stand."

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant has defended the move, insisting the deal with Russia works through existing legal channels the US has to help lower prices.

Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming also defended the diesel deal, telling CBS' Face the Nation that the president "has to make tough decisions."

US allies warn that Trump's diesel deal could fuel Russia's war

Zelensky described Trump's initial announcement as a "gift to Putin" and said the easing of sanctions against Russia is "an obvious weakness" that "plays into Russia's hands — it allows Russia to kill more, wage a longer war, respect America even less, and cause greater damage and loss to the world."

The agreement has also been criticized by international leaders, especially in Europe, whose governments have played a central role in supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson expressed his "regret" over the US deal with Russia and warned that "energy revenues are central to Russia's war fund". Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mikal likewise called the deal a "huge miscalculation," arguing that it "goes against the West's long-term efforts to limit the flow of energy carriers to Putin." Sweden and Estonia were both among the top 10 aid providers to Ukraine as a share of their GDP between January 2022 and February 2026.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kalas said that "suspension of sanctions on Russian diesel will give Moscow more revenue for the war".

On Monday, Callas announced that European foreign ministers had approved nearly 1,600 new sanctions against Russia's military-industrial complex, underscoring the contradiction between Washington's decision and continued European pressure to isolate Moscow economically.

Britain has also opposed Trump's agreement. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said on Sunday that Britain would not support a deal with Putin and would instead seek "strengthening sanctions" against Russia. Ukrainian Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged that "the last 24 hours have been difficult for Ukraine and reiterated our full solidarity" during a phone call with Zelenskyi.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also spoke with Zelenskiy on Sunday and said that his opinion is that "the agreement is in direct conflict with the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to bring peace and stability to Europe."