Republican senator questions legality of Trump's Russia diesel deal

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 22:36 · Archive

A Republican senator says President Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel may breach US law.

President Trump has moved to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian diesel to reduce record fuel prices. The decision has prompted rare Republican criticism, with Senator Thom Tillis arguing on NBC's Meet the Press that the sanctions relief could violate congressional law. Tillis, whose term ends in January, warned that his vote for Trump's legislative priorities would depend on the White House reversing the decision.

Tillis is not alone in his opposition. A bipartisan group of senators issued a letter denouncing the sanctions relief, including Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Curtis of Utah, alongside Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Blumenthal. The lawmakers' concerns reflect divisions within the Republican Party, particularly among those who continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, which began with Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Financial Times reports that opponents say the agreement would finance Russia's military operations in Ukraine. Tillis indicated the issue could affect negotiations on other administration priorities, telling the president that understanding the senators' concerns would be necessary for his support on military funding and year-end spending.

How it is being reported

• Trump faces Republican opposition to his diesel deal with Russia’s PutinLawmakers from both parties say the agreement would finance Putin’s war machine in Ukraine and violate US lawFinancial Times · 11 Oct, 22:17
• Republican senator says Trump diesel agreement with Russia may be illegalUS President Trump's bid to bring down diesel prices by easing sanctions on Russia prompts rare Republican criticism.Al Jazeera · 11 Oct, 20:19

In this story: Donald Trump · Thom Tillis · Vladimir Putin · Susan Collins · Lisa Murkowski · Russia · Ukraine · United States

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