Senators from both parties press Trump to cancel Russian diesel waiver
A bipartisan group of 12 senators asked President Donald Trump to rescind a waiver that would let the U.S. buy Russian diesel. They argued the deal would provide funds for Russia’s war effort and harm U.S. security and allies, especially Ukraine. Trump announced the waiver as a way to lower energy prices for Americans.
A dozen lawmakers—six from each party—signed Tuesday’s letter, among them senior appropriators and defense and foreign policy figures such as Collins, McConnell, Reed, Shaheen and Coons. They urged Trump to withdraw the waiver he announced Oct. 9, which would permit imports of hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel starting at once.
Critics note the waiver conflicts with a sanctions law Trump signed less than a month earlier and with the 2022 ban on Russian energy imports, which allows exceptions only if the president certifies Russia has left Ukraine, threatens no NATO state and accepts Ukraine’s right to exist. Energy specialists say the diesel would barely affect U.S. supply but could send billions to Moscow.
The waiver could affect American drivers only marginally, since analysts say it may do little to ease U.S. diesel supply, while potentially giving Moscow revenue that may sustain its war. That could strain relations with Ukraine and NATO allies and deepen disputes between Congress and the White House over sanctions. Energy firms and consumers might see modest price changes, but the broader diplomatic fallout may matter more.