Donald Trump: Republican senators attack his diesel deal

The agreement caused heated discussions over the weekend. And even at the start of the new week, criticism of the US President's plan for a diesel deal with Russia has not subsided. On the contrary: Democratic and Republican US senators criticize President Donald Trump's planned import of Russian diesel as illegal.

Congress has banned the import of Russian energy sources in 2022 so that the USA does not finance Russia's war against Ukraine, according to a letter from seven senators from both parties. "President Trump's decision to allow Russian imports is in direct contradiction to this law."

The United States should not throw Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin a lifeline as long as he kills Ukrainian civilians, it said. And then: “The government must correct its course immediately.”

Behind the letter are Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal, Jeanne Shaheen and Ron Wyden, as well as their Republican colleagues Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis and Susan Collins. Trump's administration failed to consult Congress on the decision or provide reasons "as required by law."

After a conversation with Putin, Trump announced that Russia would immediately make more than 300,000 tons of diesel available to the USA and the world market (more here). Further deliveries should follow.

Agreement with a view to the midterm elections

The US President is under domestic political pressure because the price of diesel in the US has reached new highs as a result of the Iran war - and this shortly before the important midterm elections at the beginning of November. According to experts, Russia's deliveries can hardly dampen the increase.

Congress and many Republicans have recently repeatedly advocated for a tougher approach against Putin in order to put him under pressure in the Ukraine war. In mid-September, after a long struggle, the US Parliament passed a law that grants the US President extensive powers to impose sanctions against Russia. However, Trump has not yet made use of this. The diesel plan was sharply criticized in Ukraine (more here).