# Trump Defends Russian Diesel Deal After Lawmakers’ Pushback By Riza Dagoc Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/30451 Published: 2026-10-12T16:14:18.000Z Updated: 2026-10-12T16:14:18.000Z Section: Regulation > The authorization allows Russian-origin diesel transactions through April 7, 2027, while the proposed supply schedule covers U.S. and global markets. President Donald Trump defended the decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel as lawmakers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move over its potential to support Moscow during the war in Ukraine. Trump wrote Monday that he had made “the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST!” The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 135 on Oct. 9. The authorization permits the sale, delivery, offloading and importation of Russian-origin diesel through April 7, 2027, including transactions involving imports into the United States. The separate supply plan covers U.S. and global markets. It calls for Russia to provide more than 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons afterward. Trump also cited the possibility of an additional 3 million tons, depending on refinery conditions. The plan is intended to increase fuel supply and lower diesel prices as refining capacity remains tight. The announced schedule does not specify how much of the fuel would enter the U.S. market rather than other international markets. The decision drew criticism from Republican lawmakers. Seven senators, including four Republicans, said the United States should not provide Russian President Vladimir Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues killing Ukrainian civilians. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said he understood the goal of lowering diesel prices but opposed lifting sanctions on Russian oil. “While I understand the desire to bring down diesel prices, I am concerned the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil will only fund the Kremlin’s war machine—emboldening more violence and destruction, as we have seen in recent days,” McCaul said Friday. Zelenskyy said Friday that easing sanctions on Moscow “plays into Russia’s hands.” Trump also accused the media of overlooking European Union purchases of Russian energy and wrote that the bloc had paid Russia $250 billion. He did not provide details supporting the figure. The diesel plan follows [earlier coverage of the Russian supply agreement](). Trump said Oct. 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire effective immediately. ## Links in this article - [earlier coverage of the Russian supply agreement](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/29320)