# Republicans join Democrats to block Trump's Russian diesel deal > Trump defends importing Russian diesel as lawmakers from both parties demand he reverse the controversial agreement, citing a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports. - Title: Republicans join Democrats to block Trump's Russian diesel… - Summary: Trump defends importing Russian diesel as lawmakers from both parties demand he reverse the controversial agreement, citing a 2022 law banning Russian energy… - Keywords: donald trump, vladimir putin, russian diesel imports, 2022 russian energy ban, bipartisan opposition, ukraine war, energy prices, congress, european sanctions, Republicans, join, Democrats - Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/12/republicans-democrats-call-for-trump-to-reverse-course-on-russia-diesel-deal - Author: Tiago Ventura - Published: 2026-10-12T13:49:38+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: donald trump, vladimir putin, russian diesel imports, 2022 russian energy ban, bipartisan opposition, ukraine war, energy prices, congress, european sanctions ## Trump defends Russian diesel deal President Donald Trump on Monday defended his plan to import diesel from Russia. He said: I made the right choice for the American People, always America first. > I made the right choice for the American People, always America first. ## Lawmakers say deal violates 2022 law Lawmakers across both parties argue the deal breaches a two thousand twenty-two law that banned Russian oil imports to prevent American dollars financing Putin's war against Ukraine. ## Bipartisan senators demand reversal Four Republican Senators and three Democrats released a joint statement Sunday saying Trump's decision runs directly counter to the law and criticizing the lack of congressional oversight. > The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course. ## Who signed the bipartisan statement GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and John Curtis of Utah joined Democrats Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Richard Blumenthal of… ## Trump reached deal for three hundred thousand tons Trump said Friday he had reached an agreement with Putin for Moscow to immediately supply three hundred thousand tons of diesel to American and global markets. ## Energy prices spike since Iran war began The move comes amid a push by the Administration to lower energy prices for Americans, which have skyrocketed since the Iran war began in February. ## Zelensky reports Russian violations Trump claimed Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy cease-fire effective immediately. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Russian strikes overnight had attacked energy facilities, wounding thirty-three people. > So there were Russian violations of the energy cease-fire announced by President Trump. ## Tillis warns deal puts American lives at risk Senator Thom Tillis said on NBC's Meet the Press that the diesel deal could place American lives at risk, particularly Special Operators and forward-deployed personnel. > These are bad people hanging out with bad people, putting American lives at risk, particularly our Special Operators and forward-deployed personnel. ## Tillis says deal may violate law Tillis doubled down that the President's deal may violate the law passed four years ago, which banned Russian oil imports unless Russia fully withdrew from Ukraine. > I do believe there's a legitimate case for saying the President's not following the law. ## Trump signed Russia sanctions bill three weeks ago Just three weeks ago, Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill intended to target the country's financial institutions and energy industry, named after late Senator Lindsey O. Graham. ## Fitzpatrick plans bipartisan blocking bill Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania announced Saturday he plans to introduce bipartisan legislation to stop Trump from lifting sanctions on Russian oil, called the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act. ## European leaders warn deal bolsters Russia European Foreign Ministers adopted nearly one thousand six hundred new sanctions targeting Russia's military-industrial complex Monday, contrasting with Washington's decision and Europe's continued push to economically isolate Moscow. ## Key takeaway President Trump is defending a plan to import Russian diesel despite bipartisan congressional opposition and warnings that it violates a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports.