U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to allow Russian diesel exports to global markets, a move that has drawn immediate bipartisan criticism in Congress. The agreement, which comes as midterm elections approach, is seen as a potential boost to Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.
Trump, who claimed the deal would help alleviate a diesel shortage attributed to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, struck the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call. The deal is expected to provide Russia with significant revenue, raising concerns about its impact on the war in Ukraine.
Congress has raised alarms over the deal, with lawmakers from both parties warning it undermines recent sanctions on Russia and could fund Moscow's continued aggression. The move is seen as conflicting with a 2022 law that banned Russian energy imports, and critics argue it contradicts efforts to pressure Putin to end the war in Ukraine.