A bipartisan group of 12 US senators has urged President Donald Trump to reverse an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin allowing Russian diesel fuel onto global markets, warning that the move would provide Moscow with additional revenue to finance its war against Ukraine.
In a letter to Trump, the lawmakers also called on the administration to enforce sanctions authorised by Congress last month targeting Russia and countries helping sustain its military campaign, particularly China.
The letter was signed by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, alongside Richard Blumenthal, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Dick Durbin, Alan Armstrong, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lisa Murkowski, Jack Reed, Chris Coons, Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn.
The senators criticised an agreement reached between Trump and Putin on October 9, arguing that easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports would undermine US national security interests and weaken efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
“Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely in global markets damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin’s murderous, illegal war,” the lawmakers wrote.
“This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded.”
The senators specifically called for the withdrawal of US Treasury General License No. 135, which they said lifts sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
According to the lawmakers, the decision would generate additional revenue for the Kremlin, enabling Moscow to sustain its military operations in Ukraine while strengthening security cooperation with China, Iran and North Korea.
They also questioned whether allowing Russian diesel back onto international markets would deliver meaningful economic benefits to American consumers.
While acknowledging the need to reduce domestic energy prices and address market disruptions linked to the war with Iran, the senators argued that the agreement would have little effect on fuel costs in the United States.
They warned that the additional revenue could instead support Russia’s prolonged war effort and further strengthen Moscow’s military partnerships with countries hostile to US interests.
The lawmakers also raised concerns about potential risks to American military personnel deployed overseas in support of Operation Epic Fury.
Senators demand tougher sanctions on Russia and China
The bipartisan group urged Trump to implement sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which, according to their letter, Congress approved and the president signed into law in September.
The legislation provides additional authority to impose economic pressure on Russia and entities supporting its war effort, the senators said.
They argued that exercising those powers, particularly against China, would strengthen Washington’s negotiating position and increase pressure on Moscow to agree to a negotiated settlement.
“These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,” the letter said.
The senators stressed that any agreement to end the conflict must safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty, security and right to determine its own future.
They warned that economic concessions to Moscow risk undermining those objectives by providing Putin with additional resources to continue the invasion.
“For decades, America has stood as the bastion of freedom against tyranny, and American presidents have embodied our nation’s resistance to tyrants. Putin is a tyrant,” the lawmakers wrote.
They concluded by urging Trump to withdraw from the October 9 agreement, revoke General License No. 135 and use the sanctions powers authorised by Congress.
“Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world,” the senators said.
