US senators criticize Trump's diesel plans as illegal

It has been three days since US President Donald Trump announced Russian diesel deliveries for the US and the world market - there is still great international outrage. Now Democratic and Republican US senators have spoken out in a joint statement and described the planned import 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, they say. "The government must correct its course immediately."

Initially 300,000 tons, later more

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. Further deliveries should follow.

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 just before the important midterm elections at the beginning of November. According to experts, Russian deliveries can hardly dampen the increase.

Republicans are also calling for a tougher course against Putin

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 justification "as required by law."

Congress and many Republicans have recently repeatedly advocated for a tougher approach against Putin in order to put him under pressure in the war against Ukraine. In mid-September, after a long struggle, the US Parliament passed a law that gave the president extensive powers to impose sanctions against Russia. However, Trump has not yet made use of this.