Saying it will provide Vladimir Putin with a financial lifeline and aid his war effort against Ukraine, a bipartisan group of six U.S. senators called on President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to purchase diesel fuel from Russia, according to a report in the Associated Press.
Trump announced Oct. 10 that he reached a deal with the Russian leader to immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of Russian diesel to the American and global market, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons thereafter.
The deal is meant to bring down spiraling diesel fuel prices, which hit a record high of $6.50 per gallon in late September.
In calling for the president to reconsider, four Republican and two Democratic senators said Trump failed to consult with Congress and explain his decision before making the deal.
“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians,” they said in a statement. “The Administration must immediately reverse course.”
Signing the statement were Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah.
They were joined by Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
Even with higher diesel prices driving up the cost of transporting goods, the deal came as a surprise because Trump has criticized European countries that continued to purchase energy from Putin after his 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
