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Republicans turn on Trump over diesel deal with Russia's Putin
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- Several Republican senators, including Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, and John Curtis, condemned President Trump's deal to import Russian diesel, stating it violates a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports amid the Ukraine war.
- The Trump administration temporarily lifted Russian oil sanctions through April 7, 2027, to enable the deal, which aims to supply the U.S. with millions of tons of Russian diesel fuel starting immediately.
- Some Republican candidates in tight midterm races, such as Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, oppose the deal, with Fitzpatrick planning bipartisan legislation to block Russian oil purchases.
- Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and the European Union criticized the deal, warning it would financially support Putin's war efforts, while Trump blamed Ukrainian leadership for prolonging the conflict.
- Energy experts doubt the diesel imports will significantly reduce prices before the November election, predicting only a modest short-term price drop amid ongoing global energy tensions.
