A number of Republicans in both chambers of the US Congress have criticised President Donald Trump’s agreement with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin on supplying Russian diesel to the global market.
Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said he supports Trump’s efforts to bring down fuel prices, but does not approve of the decision to allow Russia to export diesel.
“Vladimir Putin is an executioner. He is an executioner of his own people. And he is an executioner of the decent people of Ukraine. He will never be our friend,” Kennedy said. He added that ending the war in Iran would help bring down diesel prices.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said Trump should have used the powers provided under sanctions legislation, rather than allowing Russia to profit from fuel exports and continue its war against Ukraine.
“We can discuss Russia’s return to global energy markets after the war ends, but for now we need to cut off every source that helps it,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, introduced a bipartisan bill, “The Ronald Reagan Act: Peace Through Strength”. He said the initiative is intended to block President Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions. The bill was co-authored by Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska.
Fitzpatrick also said there is significant support for Ukraine in Congress and among Americans.
Former House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, also voiced concern about a possible easing of restrictions on Russian oil.
In his view, this would only finance the Kremlin’s war machine and contribute to further violence and destruction.
Context
- On 9 October, President Donald Trump reached an agreement with Putin on supplying Russian fuel to the American and global markets. According to the White House chief, Russia will “immediately” deliver more than 300,000 tonnes of fuel, followed later by another 1.5 million tonnes.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian negotiating team is being used as a “smokescreen”. He said that while Ukrainian representatives in Florida were discussing a ceasefire in Ukraine with the Americans, Trump was striking a deal with Putin.
- The president noted that the fuel supply agreements would bring Russia billions of dollars in additional revenue, which it could channel into continuing the war.
- US President Donald Trump decided to strike a deal with Russia on diesel fuel after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused Washington’s demand to unilaterally halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.