Bipartisan group of senators says Russia deal ‘runs directly counter’ to US law
Following earlier comments from Republican Senator Thom Tillis, a bipartisan group of senators has questioned the legality of Donald Trump’s deal to import Russian oil into the US.
The group, consisting of three Democrats and four Republicans, including Tillis, makes reference to a bill passed by Congress in 2022 to ban the import of Russian oil, saying it was done “to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine”.
The statement adds: “The US should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our Nato allies.”
The group says the president’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports into the country “runs directly counter to that law”, adding the administration failed to consult with Congress “or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute”.
“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course.”