Senators' statement: US "should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline"
Seven US senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties have issued a statement in response to US President Donald Trump's decision to allow imports of Russian diesel fuel, saying that the United States "should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline".
Source: statement by US senators
Details: The statement on the legality of importing Russian diesel fuel into the US was signed by seven senators from a bipartisan coalition: Jeanne Shaheen, Susan Collins, Richard Blumenthal, Lisa Murkowski, Ron Wyden, Thom Tillis and John Curtis.
Quote from the statement: "Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin's brutal war against Ukraine. Congress was clear: the US should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies.
President Trump's decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the US runs directly counter to that law. The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute.
The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course."
Previously: A number of Republicans in both houses of the US Congress criticised the agreement reached between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin regarding the supply of Russian diesel fuel.
Meanwhile, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a bipartisan bill which he said would prevent Trump from lifting sanctions. The bill has been named the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act.
Background:
- On 9 October, Trump said he had spoken to Putin and reached an agreement with him on supplying Russian diesel fuel to the US and global markets.
- Axios reported that Trump decided to strike a deal with Putin after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ignored half a dozen US requests to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries.
- Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's negotiating team in the US had been used as "cover" while Trump and Putin reached agreements on fuel supplies.
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