President Donald Trump doubled down Monday on his choice to permit Russian diesel imports amid rising backlash, calling it the “proper selection” and arguing that Europe has beforehand bought vitality merchandise from Russia as properly.
Trump mentioned in a Monday morning social media submit that the “European Union paid Russia 250 Billion {Dollars} for Vitality” and added, “I made the precise selection for the American Individuals — 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 lined 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 for the reason that begin of battle 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 elevate 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 choice as a result of ongoing battle with Ukraine and ban on Russian vitality imports.
“America 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 instantly import 300,000 tons of its diesel gasoline, 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 vitality imports and opens the door to permitting Russia to doubtlessly profit financially on its battle towards Ukraine.
“President Trump’s choice to permit Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs straight counter to that legislation. The Administration has additionally did not seek the advice of with Congress or submit any rationalization to justify its choice 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 vitality merchandise. Whereas the legislation does enable the president to elevate the ban underneath 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 fingers — permitting it to kill extra, wage battle for longer, have even much less respect for America, and inflict even larger losses and harm on the world,” he mentioned. “We rely on America’s honest help for our protection of life, for our protection of individuals in Ukraine — and on the US having a correspondingly sturdy dialog with Russia. A powerful one, not a weak one.”
Trump’s choice 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, similar to Tillis, say Trump’s current motion runs counter to the efforts within the laws.
“I utterly reject it,” Tillis mentioned on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday. “If President Trump needs to finish the pressure of vitality provides, primary, get issues proper in Iran, and quantity two, acknowledge that it was Vladimir Putin, not Zelenskyy, that began this battle. And it is Vladimir Putin who owns the duty for vitality costs to the extent that they arrive from that a part of the world.”
Tillis mentioned the settlement to buy Russian diesel is “primarily, 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 advised ABC Information’ “This Week” co-anchor Jon Karl on Sunday that the deal was “one other instance of our president considering out of the field” to deal with the American public’s considerations about excessive oil and gasoline costs by importing gasoline to the U.S. forward of the midterm elections.
“He is listening to the American individuals, Jon. The American persons are hurting due to this world market with regards to diesel and gasoline on the whole,” Emmer mentioned.
Emmer additionally hailed the deal as one other tactic in Trump’s try and 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 mentioned.
