Republicans Denounce Trump’s Diesel Deal With Russia’s Putin Amid Mounting Backlash

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S.

President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept.

22, 2026. —Brendan Smialowski—Getty Images President Donald Trump is facing mounting calls from within his own party to reverse course on his plan to import diesel fuel from Russia in an effort to stabilize global energy markets , with lawmakers arguing it goes against a 2022 law which banned Russian oil imports.

“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine.

Congress was clear: The U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO allies,” read a joint bipartisan statement released Sunday by four Republican Senators and three Democrats.

The lawmakers argued that Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S.

“runs directly counter to that law” and criticized the lack of congressional overview, insisting that the Administration had failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation over its decision.

“The United States should not provide [Russian President Vladimir] Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians.

The Administration must immediately reverse course,” they urged.

The statement was co-signed by GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of ⁠Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and John Curtis of Utah, alongside Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Ron Wyden ​of Oregon, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

Trump said Friday he had reached an agreement with Putin for Moscow to "immediately" supply 300,000 tons of diesel to American and global markets.

The move comes amid a renewed push by the Administration to lower energy prices for Americans, which have skyrocketed since the Iran war began in February.

The increased diesel fuel prices have shaken the loyalties of some of Trump’s most ardent support groups, with farmers telling TIME their day-to-day operations are being severely impacted.

In the wake of the diesel supply deal, Trump on Sunday claimed Russia and Ukraine had “agreed” to an energy cease-fire “effective immediately.” However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russian strikes overnight—which reportedly killed ​several people and wounded dozens—had included attacks on energy facilities.