US lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill seeking to block President Donald Trump’s reported deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to purchase
and import Russian diesel, amid criticism that the arrangement could benefit Moscow while its war against Ukraine continues. Representative Gregory W Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the Prohibit Corrupt Russia Oil Deals Act on Friday, October 16, according to an announcement by the committee’s Democrats. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) from investing in Russia’s energy sector, invalidate general licences issued by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and prohibit the issuance of future licences. It would also require the Trump administration to impose sanctions on Russian energy. Meeks Accuses Trump Of Benefiting Putin Meeks criticised the proposed Russian diesel arrangement, arguing that it would not reduce costs for American consumers and could provide Moscow with additional funds to sustain its war against Ukraine. “This deal won’t lower costs for the American people, who are already paying for Trump’s failed war of choice in Iran. It will hand Putin millions of dollars to continue slaughtering Ukrainian civilians with impunity,” Meeks said. He accused Trump of easing pressure on the Kremlin at a time when Washington should be strengthening its response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. “At a time when the United States should be increasing pressure on the Kremlin, Donald Trump is cozying up to Putin and striking self-enriching deals instead of standing with Ukraine,” Meeks said. He urged members of Congress to support the legislation, arguing that lawmakers concerned about the arrangement should back efforts to block it. Bipartisan Support For The Bill The legislation has attracted support from several Democratic lawmakers, including William Keating, Ami Bera, Ted Lieu, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Steny Hoyer. Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska is also listed among the bill’s co-sponsors, giving the proposal bipartisan backing. The bill would need to advance through Congress before becoming law. Its introduction does not itself block the reported diesel deal or impose the proposed restrictions. The legislation comes amid wider tensions over US policy towards Russia and the war in Ukraine, as lawmakers debate whether Washington should maintain economic pressure on Moscow or pursue arrangements involving Russian energy supplies.
