Washington, October 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A growing number of US senators have criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, arguing that the move could boost Moscow’s revenue for its war against Ukraine while doing little to reduce fuel prices for American consumers.
Independent Senator Angus King of Maine joined senior Democrats in opposing the administration’s decision, describing it as a reversal of longstanding US policy aimed at restricting Russia’s energy earnings.
In a statement on Saturday, King argued that the agreement would benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin more than American consumers.
“This so-called deal with Russia will do little for America and much for Vladimir Putin as he seeks to sustain his murderous campaign on Ukraine,” King said.
His criticism followed a joint statement on Friday by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen and Senate Banking Committee ranking member Elizabeth Warren. The three lawmakers accused Trump of weakening support for Ukraine and undermining US allies by relaxing restrictions on Russian diesel sales.
“President Trump’s announcement that the United States will allow global purchases of Russian diesel for six months, is a total betrayal of Ukraine, our European allies and American national security,” they said.
The controversy followed Trump’s announcement on Friday that he had reached an agreement with Putin to release additional Russian diesel supplies into US and international markets.
According to Trump, Russia would initially supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes thereafter. He also indicated that further supplies would be made available.
Subsequently, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 135, authorising certain transactions involving the sale, delivery, offloading and importation of Russian-origin diesel.
The authorisation represents a temporary easing of sanctions restrictions rather than a permanent lifting of sanctions against Russia.
King questioned whether the additional supplies would significantly lower fuel prices in the United States. He argued that the quantities announced for October and November were modest compared with daily US diesel consumption and called on the administration to reverse the decision.
The senator also pointed to bipartisan congressional legislation aimed at restricting Russia’s energy revenues, saying lawmakers who supported the measure should demand an immediate reversal.
“Every member of Congress who voted for this bill – 86 in the Senate, 262 in the House – should be demanding an immediate reversal of this decision,” King said.
Schumer, Shaheen and Warren also linked the administration’s move to the continuing conflict with Iran, arguing that disruptions to global energy supplies had contributed to rising fuel costs.
“Enough is enough. The President must end his war with Iran instead of funding Russia’s war machine,” the three senators said.
Trump has defended his energy policies as necessary to bring down costs for American consumers, particularly farmers, truckers and businesses that rely heavily on diesel fuel.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday evening at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said he believed Putin wanted a settlement to end the war in Ukraine. He again criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of failing to reach an agreement.
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