Listen to this articleDear 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated using AI-based technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve results. A dozen U.S. senators, including six of President Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans, called on the president Tuesday to terminate his diesel deal with Russia, saying it provides Moscow with more fuel to finance its war against Ukraine and will not benefit Americans. The letter added to a torrent of criticism of the diesel pact from both Republicans and Democrats. It marks a shift from what had been Republicans’ near-unanimous support for Trump’s foreign policy decisions weeks before Nov. 1. 3 midterm elections that will determine whether the party retains control of Congress. “Granting Moscow the ability to sell Russian diesel freely on global markets harms American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves against [Russian President Vladimi] “Putin’s illegal and murderous war,” the lawmakers said in a letter seen by Reuters. The letter, dated Tuesday, was signed by Republicans Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Alan Armstrong of Oklahoma, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Cornyn of Texas, as well as six Democrats. Ukraine condemns the move and warns that it will directly benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. Collins, Murkowski and Tillis joined Democrats in a joint statement Sunday calling for Trump to “reverse course” on the deal, saying it runs counter to U.S. law banning energy imports until Russia ends its aggression against Ukraine. The Republican president was asked on Tuesday about the diesel deal, but dodged a question about whether Russia could use the proceeds to buy more pumps. Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Richard Durbin of Illinois, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Chris Coons of Connecticut also signed. Tuesday’s letter. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The two countries have been in a state of all-out war since then.
