US Congress receives bill to block deal on Russian diesel fuel

Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at blocking the US-Russia deal on diesel fuel.

Source: The US House Foreign Affairs Committee's website

Details: The bill would prohibit the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) from investing in Russia's energy sector; revoke general licences issued by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and prohibit future licences; and require US President Donald Trump's administration to impose sanctions on Russia's energy sector.

The bill has 17 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

Quote from Meeks: "This deal won't lower costs for the American people, who are already paying for Trump's failed war of choice in Iran. It will hand Putin millions of dollars to continue slaughtering Ukrainian civilians with impunity."

"At a time when the United States should be increasing pressure on the Kremlin, Donald Trump is cozying up to Putin and striking self-enriching deals instead of standing with Ukraine. This goes against everything the United States stands for. Congress must act. Every Member of Congress who claims to be outraged by this should join in passing this legislation."

Previously: Twenty-two Democrat and Republican members of the US House of Representatives wrote to Trump demanding the full and immediate implementation of the sanctions against Russia provided for under the Graham Act.

Background:

• In September and October, Trump repeatedly urged Zelenskyy to scale back attacks on Russian oil refineries, linking the strikes to fuel shortages and rising prices in the US.
• On 8 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that talks would take place in the US involving a Ukrainian delegation. This delegation included Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People party; Rustem Umierov, Head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service; Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; and Serhii Kyslytsia, First Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
• Ahead of the meeting, Axios reported, citing US and Ukrainian officials, that US President's Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were planning to present "new ideas and proposals" in Miami to break the diplomatic deadlock.
• On 9 October, Trump said he had had a "highly successful discussion" with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and reached an agreement on lifting sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.
• US Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick announced that a new bipartisan bill was being prepared to block any purchases of Russian oil. Fitzpatrick's fellow Republican Don Bacon said Trump's decision to purchase Russian diesel fuel looks like weakness.
• On 15 October, the Kremlin announced that Russian diesel fuel had begun reaching global markets following an agreement with Trump.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!