U.S. President Donald Trump has defended last week’s decision to temporarily ease restrictions on Russian diesel fuel exports after the move drew criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he had made “the right choice” for Americans and repeated his “AMERICA FIRST” message. He also accused the media of hypocrisy, arguing that the European Union had paid Russia 250 billion dollars for energy while receiving far less scrutiny.
The White House plan would allow Russia to supply some diesel to the U.S. and global markets over the next six months. But several lawmakers, including Republicans, said the United States should not relax its ban on Russian energy imports until Vladimir Putin ends the war against Ukraine.
A group of seven senators, including four Republicans, said in a joint statement that the United States should not give Putin a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. Rep. Michael McCaul also said that while he understands the push to lower diesel prices, easing sanctions on Russian oil could strengthen the Kremlin’s war machine.
Trump argues that the step, coordinated with Putin, will help bring down elevated diesel prices at a time of broad economic frustration in the U.S. ahead of the midterm elections. Some analysts, however, say the policy is unlikely to make a major difference in the market.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that the U.S. move to ease sanctions on Moscow “plays into Russia’s hands.”
