Addressing a European Council meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the arrangement "will never be enough to offset the impact of the Strait of Hormuz on global markets. But it will put more money straight into Putin's pocket to fund this war." Zelenskyy urged the European Union to pass a 22nd sanctions package targeting Russia's financial system and the makers of its ballistic missiles, drones and communications systems.
The bill follows a letter from a bipartisan House group including five Republicans and an earlier appeal from 12 senators—six from each party—demanding that Trump rescind the Oct. 9 deal and the US Treasury general license authorizing Russian diesel transactions through April 7, 2027. Lawmakers argue the waiver violates a 2022 statutory ban on Russian energy imports.