Easing of Russian Diesel Sanctions Draws Pushback in Washington: Tillis Says It May Break the Law, as Trump Cites 300,000 Tonnes Now and 500,000 in November

Republican Senator Thom Tillis said on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, 19 Mehr 1405 (11 October 2026), that President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily relax sanctions on Russian diesel may violate congressional law, and that his support for Trump's legislative priorities, including funding for military operations, depends on the administration reversing course. A bipartisan group of senators, including Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Blumenthal, signed a letter demanding an immediate reversal.

On Friday, 17 Mehr (9 October), Trump had announced that a call with Vladimir Putin ended with an agreement to supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the global market, with a further 500,000 tonnes to be delivered in November. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News on Sunday the administration is acting "with all the legal authorities we have". The office of Canada's prime minister also called the deal contrary to the efforts of Ukraine and its allies, saying it gives Russia additional revenue.

Analysts quoted in Al Jazeera's report say the step is unlikely to lower prices in the long run. This year's fuel price surge is largely attributed to the war with Iran and restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz; on Monday, 20 Mehr, Trading Economics cited the prospect of Russian diesel as one reason Brent fell.