Twelve senators demand Trump reverse diesel deal
Six Republicans and six Democrats call the agreement with Russia harmful to Ukraine and US security.
Follow-up to: Diesel deal with Putin divides Republicans Monday, 12 October 2026, 20:29
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A group of twelve US senators, including six Republicans, asked President Donald Trump on Tuesday to withdraw his agreement with Vladimir Putin on Russian diesel. The letter increases political pressure on a deal that, according to its signatories, will have little effect on US fuel prices.
Six Republican and six Democratic senators signed the letter. They include Republican figures such as Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John Cornyn, and Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Dick Durbin. They also ask Trump to reverse a temporary easing of sanctions against Russia’s energy sector.
On 9 October, Trump announced that Russia would directly supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the United States and the global market, followed by larger quantities in the months afterwards. The US Treasury then announced a temporary exemption allowing Russian diesel exports. According to CBS News, this is General License 135.
The senators acknowledge that US households and businesses are struggling with high fuel prices. They argue, however, that Russian diesel will barely push prices down, while revenue from its sale could support Russia’s war effort. In their letter, they therefore call the agreement harmful to US security and to Ukraine.
Independent reporting has also raised questions about the economic effect. AP reported that energy experts doubt whether the announced quantities could noticeably lower US prices. The senators also link their objection to broader US sanctions policy: Washington should put pressure on Russia rather than give Russia renewed access to the global market.
The timing is politically sensitive. Last month, Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. According to Reuters, his administration must decide by 18 October at the latest whether to apply the sanctions and tariffs against Russian energy contained in the act, or suspend parts of them on national-interest grounds.
Trump has defended the deal so far. According to AP, he said on Monday that he supported any step that could help farmers and ranchers, and that critics from his own party could not be serious. According to Reuters, the administration has not yet told members of Congress whether it will actually use the new sanctions powers.
The letter does not immediately change the agreement, but it does show that opposition has grown broader than the Democratic opposition. For European allies, the key question is whether Washington will again allow Russian energy onto the global market while saying it wants to influence Russia’s war against Ukraine through sanctions. The next important step is a formal decision on the sanctions.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Twelve senators, six Republicans and six Democrats, asked Trump on 13 October to withdraw the agreement on Russian diesel.
- Trump announced the agreement on 9 October; the Treasury announced a temporary sanctions waiver.
- According to Reuters, a US sanctions law signed last month has a decision point on 18 October.
- The administration has not yet announced whether it will fully use the new sanctions powers.
Left
Arguments The United States should not facilitate Russian revenue again while Russia is waging war against Ukraine. The expected price reduction is too uncertain to justify the geopolitical and legal costs of easing sanctions.
Values Solidarity with Ukraine, the international rule of law, democratic accountability and protecting alliances.
Consequences Reversing the deal could keep fuel more expensive, but according to this approach it prevents US purchases from strengthening Russia’s war chest and the credibility of sanctions.
Centre
Arguments The government must weigh affordability and national security at the same time. A limited, controllable arrangement can be defensible only if its effect on prices is demonstrable, Congress remains involved and clear conditions apply.
Values Institutional prudence, practicality, energy security and predictability for allies.
Consequences A temporary review or postponement could create room for negotiations, but prolonged uncertainty could harm markets and cooperation with European partners.
Right
Arguments The president should retain room to influence energy supplies and prices pragmatically, even if that requires diplomatic contacts with Russia. Sanctions should not become an end in themselves if consumers and businesses are suffering from high fuel prices.
Values Low energy costs, executive power at national level, economic freedom and strategic flexibility.
Consequences Continuing with the deal could increase supplies and give Trump room to negotiate, but it carries risks for enforcement of sanctions legislation, relations with Ukraine and unity within the Republican Party.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is confirmed by the senators’ official letter and by independent reporting from AP, CBS News and Reuters. Economic effects and the final sanctions decision are presented as uncertain or as the position of those involved.
- confirmed Twelve US senators, split between six Republicans and six Democrats, asked Trump on 13 October to reverse the diesel deal. — This appears in the official statement and is confirmed by Reuters. source
- confirmed Trump announced an agreement with Putin on Russian diesel on 9 October. — The official letter gives 9 October as the date of the agreement. source
- confirmed The agreement provides for an initial delivery of 300,000 tonnes of diesel and larger quantities later. — CBS News describes the announced quantities. source
- confirmed The US Treasury enabled Russian diesel exports through General License 135. — The official letter mentions the temporary sanctions waiver; CBS News describes the same measure. source
- confirmed The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act was signed last month and has a decision point on 18 October. — Reuters reports the act and the 18 October deadline. source
- confirmed Trump defended the deal and said critics from his own party could not be serious. — AP describes Trump’s response on Monday. source
Editor's note
It is certain that twelve senators sent a letter on 13 October and that the agreement and temporary sanctions waiver exist. The effect on fuel prices and the final sanctions decision remain uncertain.Sources
- Shaheen, Bipartisan Senators Call on Trump to Rescind Russian Diesel Deal — U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
- Trump's diesel deal with Putin draws criticism from Congress — AP News
- Bipartisan senators urge Trump to rescind Russian diesel deal — CBS News
- More Republicans criticize Trump's Russia diesel deal — Reuters via Investing.com
The story so far
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 20:29 Diesel deal with Putin divides Republicans
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 00:56 Senators demand return of sanctions on Russia
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 02:26 Twelve senators demand Trump reverse diesel deal (this article)
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