WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced last week that he reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring tons of Russian diesel into the United States to ease high fuel prices before the midterm elections.
The plan has been criticized by Republicans and Democrats as supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine and pulling the United States closer to Moscow. A bipartisan group of six senators urged Trump over the weekend to reverse course, arguing the United States should not offer Putin a financial lifeline.
Congress approved legislation in spring 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to ban imports of Russian energy products. The House passed the bill on a 414-17 vote and the Senate had no opposition. It allows the president to seek lifting the ban only after Russian troops withdraw and military activity stops, with congressional review and acceptance by the government of Ukraine.
Trump defended the arrangement Monday outside the White House, dismissing Republican criticism and saying he supports anything that helps farmers and ranchers. Asked about objections from his own party, he said they could not be serious.