The dispute comes ahead of an October 18 sanctions deadline that could expose major buyers of Russian energy, including India and China, to tariffs of up to 100 per cent….reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who warn that the move could finance Moscow’s war against Ukraine without significantly reducing American fuel prices. The controversy comes days before an October 18 deadline under a sanctions law that could expose major buyers of Russian oil, including India and China, to steep US tariffs.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi intensified his criticism of the deal, accusing Trump of benefiting Russian President Vladimir Putin while putting pressure on Ukraine to curb attacks on Russian oil facilities.
“Trump started an illegal war with Iran that sent fuel prices soaring. Now he’s rewarding Putin with a Russian diesel deal while pressuring Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil facilities,” Krishnamoorthi wrote on X on Wednesday (local time).
“Putin gets billions. Ukraine gets more Russian attacks. Americans get stuck with the bill,” the Illinois Democrat added.
In a subsequent post, Krishnamoorthi argued that the arrangement would do little to ease fuel costs for American consumers.
“It’s illegal, ineffective, and no substitute for ending Trump’s Iran war,” he wrote, adding that the deal “would help bankroll Putin’s war machine without meaningfully lowering fuel prices for Americans”.
Kremlin envoy defends Russian diesel deal
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, defended the arrangement, arguing that access to Russian energy supplies was important for keeping prices affordable.
“All pragmatic world leaders who care about their people want affordable diesel, gas and oil, including from Russia,” Dmitriev wrote on X.
In another post, he criticised The Economist for allegedly overlooking the benefits of the deal, claiming it had contributed to “the 5 per cent decline in diesel prices from the deal, showcasing its benefits to US farmers, consumers and energy markets”.
Dmitriev did not provide details explaining how the figure was calculated or the period over which the reported decline occurred.
Opposition to the deal has also grown among Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said he was “leading 12 of my colleagues demanding that Trump rescind the disastrous Russian diesel deal”.
Also Read: Trump Defends Xi Visit, Says US Makes Money From China
“It betrays American security interests & brave Ukrainians fighting Putin’s bloody slaughter,” he wrote.
Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina also criticised the decision, arguing that easing restrictions on Russian diesel would provide limited relief to American consumers while supporting Moscow’s war effort.
“Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel will do little to lower US fuel prices but a lot to fund Russia’s war against our ally Ukraine,” he wrote.
Representative Greg Stanton of Arizona described the plan as “likely illegal and unlikely to lower prices”, warning that it would “funnel billions of dollars into Putin’s Russia”.
Representative Mike Levin of California called the arrangement “a lifeline for Russia’s war machine”, citing a New York Times estimate that around $4 billion of American money could flow into Russia’s economy.
Russian oil deal faces October 18 sanctions deadline
The dispute follows the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issuing General License 135 on Friday, authorising transactions involving Russian-origin diesel until April 2027.
The decision comes as the October 18 deadline approaches under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
Section 113 of the law requires the President to raise duties to “up to 100 per cent” on goods from countries that were among the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and knowingly make new purchases after the deadline.
However, the law allows the President to waive the duties by certifying to Congress that doing so is in the national interest of the United States.
The administration has not publicly clarified how it intends to implement the provision or which countries could face additional duties.
India has long argued that it is being held to a different standard from Western countries that continue to maintain commercial ties with Russia despite sanctions imposed following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The approaching deadline has added uncertainty for major importers of Russian energy, particularly India and China, as Washington weighs its sanctions policy against concerns over energy prices and international security.
