Republican Senators Criticize Trump’s Russia Sanctions Waiver and Diesel Deal
Several Republican senators have publicly broken with President Trump over his decision to waive new sanctions on Russia and allow Russian diesel exports into global markets, arguing the moves provide a financial lifeline to Vladimir Putin while the war in Ukraine continues. The criticism follows Trump’s announcement of a deal for Russia to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel and an executive order pausing sanctions Congress had approved under the Lindsey Graham Act. Lawmakers say the steps conflict with existing U.S. law restricting Russian energy imports and undercut efforts to pressure Moscow. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina called the policy “unconscionable” and said Putin is “playing President Trump like a fiddle,” while other Republicans including Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Cornyn, John Curtis, and Mitch McConnell joined bipartisan statements urging the administration to reverse course. Critics contend the actions damage U.S. security interests and amount to an unnecessary concession, though the White House has framed them as measures to lower fuel prices and support peace negotiations.
