Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the agreement Sunday, saying the administration would proceed using existing legal authorities to help lower US diesel prices. Treasury’s license permits Russian diesel transactions through April 7, 2027. Trump announced supplies of more than 300,000 tons immediately, 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons thereafter, with another 3 million tons dependent on refinery conditions. The November volume amounts to about 125,000 BPD, roughly a tenth of Russia’s usual exports when its refineries are not under Ukrainian drone attack, oil researcher Rory Johnston said.
Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick is preparing bipartisan legislation to block US purchases of Russian oil and plans to seek a House vote through a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures. Republican Don Bacon has agreed to be an original cosponsor. Former Vice President Mike Pence also urged Trump to rescind the diesel deal immediately, saying America should not throw a lifeline to Putin’s war effort.