12 senators demand Trump rescind diesel deal with Putin, citing sanctions law and risk to Ukraine

12 senators, six Republicans and six Democrats, sent a letter to President Trump on Tuesday calling on him to rescind his diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that the agreement will funnel revenue to the Kremlin without lowering American fuel prices.

Trump announced the deal after a call with Putin, with Russia supplying diesel to the American and global market. The deal allows Russia to supply 4.8 million metric tons, or nearly 36 million barrels, of diesel through mid-April. The senators wrote that the deal will not achieve just ends nor benefit Americans. They also argued it contradicts bipartisan Russian sanctions legislation Trump signed into law, named in memory of the late GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Senators warn deal funds Kremlin war machine

The senators wrote that the deal will have a negligible impact on fuel prices but revenues will finance Russia’s war of attrition and advance security cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea. They said the deal only provides Putin with more fuel to finance his war machine and enables Russia to continue brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians. The senators demanded Trump withdraw from the agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute authorities under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. “This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our allies; it should be rescinded,” they wrote. The senators also wrote that allowing Russian-origin diesel into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans. “Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world,” they added.

Trump defends deal as relief for world market

Trump told reporters the diesel deal is not for the U.S. but being released into the world market because the world market suffered with high prices. “Nobody’s telling me anything,” Trump said. He wrote on Truth Social Monday: “I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!” His social media announcement specified Russia will supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by 500,000 tons in November, 1 million tons immediately thereafter, and 3,000,000 tons within a short period based on condition of Russian diesel refineries. Oil analysts don’t think the Russian supply will be nearly enough to make a meaningful impact on prices. The White House referred to Trump’s comments to reporters when asked about the letter.

Bipartisan pressure builds

The Democratic signatories were Richard Blumenthal, Chris Coons, Dick Durbin, Jack Reed, Jeanne Shaheen, and Sheldon Whitehouse. The Republican signatories were Alan Armstrong, Susan Collins, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Thom Tillis. Collins, Murkowski, and Tillis had already joined a statement 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 joined the earlier Sunday statement. Armstrong has roots in the energy industry, having been CEO of Williams Companies.

The announcement drew an unusually critical response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who counts on continued U.S. support for his military. Trump slammed Zelenskyy, saying Ukraine should get a new president. The sanctions legislation was passed this summer directing the president to impose significant tariffs on the top importers of Russian oil. The sanctions are aimed at targeting Russian officials, companies, and financial institutions helping fuel Russia’s war in Ukraine.