President Donald Trump doubled down Monday on his resolution to permit Russian diesel imports amid rising backlash, calling it the “proper selection” and arguing that Europe has beforehand bought power merchandise from Russia as effectively.
Trump stated in a Monday morning social media put up that the “European Union paid Russia 250 Billion {Dollars} for Power” and added, “I made the best selection for the American Folks — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!”
President Donald Trump speaks throughout a Republican marketing campaign rally at F&M Financial institution Area in Clarksville, Tennessee, October 10, 2026.
Eric Lee/Reuters
Trump didn’t specify the interval coated by $250 billion determine. Estimates from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air monitoring how a lot the EU has spent importing fossil fuels from Russia because the begin of warfare with Ukraine roughly align with the determine Trump talked about.
Trump’s feedback come after a small group of bipartisan senators got here out towards the Trump administration’s plan to raise Russian oil sanctions and import a brand new provide amid spiking costs within the U.S. The senators, in an announcement on Sunday, urged the administration to reverse its resolution as a result of ongoing warfare with Ukraine and ban on Russian power imports.
“The USA mustn’t present Putin with a monetary lifeline whereas Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration should instantly reverse course,” the senators wrote within the assertion.
Trump introduced on Friday that he made a cope with Russian President Vladimir Putin to right away import 300,000 tons of its diesel gas, with a promise that thousands and thousands extra are coming.
The assertion was signed by Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, John Curtis and Lisa Murkowski in addition to Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.
The senators additionally argued the transfer violates a 2022 legislation banning Russian power imports and opens the door to permitting Russia to probably profit financially on its warfare towards Ukraine.
“President Trump’s resolution to permit Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs immediately counter to that legislation. The Administration has additionally did not seek the advice of with Congress or submit any rationalization to justify its resolution as required by statute,” the senators wrote within the assertion.
In April 2022, Congress handed the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, banning imports of Russian power merchandise. Whereas the legislation does permit the president to raise the ban below sure situations, it requires a justification to Congress earlier than doing so, which the senators argue didn’t occur.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with ABC Information whereas showing on This Week, October 11, 2026.
ABC Information
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized the choice, too, saying in an interview with ABC News over the weekend that the deal quantities to an “apparent weak point.”
“It performs into Russia’s arms — permitting it to kill extra, wage warfare for longer, have even much less respect for America, and inflict even higher losses and harm on the world,” he stated. “We depend on America’s truthful assist for our protection of life, for our protection of individuals in Ukraine — and on the USA having a correspondingly robust dialog with Russia. A powerful one, not a weak one.”
Trump’s resolution comes weeks after he signed the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which authorizes tariffs on nations that proceed to buy Russian oil. Now, some senators, reminiscent of Tillis, say Trump’s latest motion runs counter to the efforts within the laws.
“I fully reject it,” Tillis stated on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday. “If President Trump desires to finish the pressure of power provides, primary, get issues proper in Iran, and quantity two, acknowledge that it was Vladimir Putin, not Zelenskyy, that began this warfare. And it is Vladimir Putin who owns the duty for power costs to the extent that they arrive from that a part of the world.”
Tillis stated the settlement to buy Russian diesel is “basically, I believe, tarnishing Lindsey Graham’s efforts to attempt to get these sanctions invoice by way of.”
Nonetheless, different Republicans are persevering with to face by Trump, together with Home Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who’s a vocal supporter of Ukraine and beforehand voted to ascertain sanctions on Russia.
Emmer instructed ABC Information’ “This Week” co-anchor Jon Karl on Sunday that the deal was “one other instance of our president pondering out of the field” to handle the American public’s issues about excessive oil and fuel costs by importing gas to the U.S. forward of the midterm elections.
“He is listening to the American folks, Jon. The American persons are hurting due to this world market relating to diesel and gas normally,” Emmer stated.
Emmer additionally hailed the deal as one other tactic in Trump’s try to dealer a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
“I believe that is simply one other step of making an attempt to get that resolved,” he stated.
