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According to AnewZ, a group of US lawmakers is seeking to block the Trump administration’s agreement to purchase and import Russian diesel fuel, arguing that it could increase Moscow’s revenues while bringing little significant benefit to US consumers.
The initiative is led by Gregory Meeks, a Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has introduced a bill intended to prevent the agreement from being implemented.
According to a statement issued by Democrats on the committee, lawmakers from both parties support the bill. Its backers say the return of Russian diesel to markets linked to the United States could weaken economic pressure on Moscow and generate significant revenue for Russia.
Lawmakers supporting the bill say the agreement would do little to reduce living costs for Americans and would conflict with the broader goals of US policy toward Russia.
What restrictions does the bill propose?
The bill, titled the “Prohibiting Corrupt Russian Oil Deals Act,” aims to prevent government mechanisms that could facilitate investment in or trade with Russia’s energy sector.
One of its key provisions would bar the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) from making investments linked to Russian energy projects.
The bill also proposes revoking licenses issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that could authorize transactions involving Russian energy imports. Existing authorizations would expire, and new ones would be prohibited.
The bill’s supporters say these measures are necessary to ensure consistency between US sanctions policy and decisions in the energy sector.
Bill’s prospects in Congress remain uncertain
The proposal reflects growing political divisions in Washington over the Trump administration’s approach to Russia. Critics of the diesel deal say easing restrictions on Russian energy exports could weaken the impact of international sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Democratic lawmakers have called on members of both parties to support the bill, framing the issue in terms of national security and economic policy rather than party politics.
The bill’s prospects remain uncertain. It must pass both chambers of Congress to become law.
If passed, the bill could significantly limit the administration’s ability to facilitate imports of Russian diesel and complicate efforts to expand energy cooperation with Moscow.
The debate comes amid ongoing discussions of US policy toward Russia, sanctions, energy security and continued support for Ukraine.
