President Donald Trump defended his decision to temporarily ease restrictions on Russian diesel fuel exports, saying "I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!" in a Truth Social post Monday.
Trump's six-month easing of the ban drew bipartisan criticism from lawmakers concerned the policy would fund Russia's war in Ukraine. Seven senators, including four Republicans, said in a joint statement Sunday that "The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians."
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, also raised alarm Friday. "While I understand the desire to bring down diesel prices, I am concerned the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil will only fund the Kremlin's war machine, emboldening more violence and destruction, as we have seen in recent days," McCaul said.
Trump claimed the media ignored past European Union purchases of Russian energy. "The European Union paid Russia 250 Billion Dollars for Energy, and the Fake News Media doesn't want to get near that story," he wrote. That figure roughly aligns with some estimates of EU spending on Russian fossil fuels since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission has announced plans to phase out dependence on Russian energy.
Trump said the plan, coordinated with Putin, aims to reduce diesel prices amid widespread economic dissatisfaction heading into a potentially difficult midterm election for Republicans. Some analysts contend the policy will produce minimal impact on prices.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday the U.S. easing sanctions "plays into Russia's hands."