President Donald Trump’s decision to allow Russia to supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets triggered pushback from multiple Republican figures on Saturday.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said he will introduce bipartisan legislation “to block any and all purchases of Russian oil” after outlining his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on social media. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) expressed support for the bill, arguing that consumers’ need for lower diesel prices doesn’t justify pressuring Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, as Trump has done in recent weeks.
Former Vice President Mike Pence and conservative commentator Laura Loomer also expressed frustration with Trump’s decision, arguing the move will help fund Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military efforts.
Trump had taken aim at Zelensky on Saturday afternoon by saying Ukraine needs a “new leader” who will make a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in 2022. Trump and Zelensky have maintained a largely amicable relationship since a public February 2025 argument at the White House, but Trump has recently criticized the wartime leader for striking Russian oil sites, arguing that high domestic gas prices are in part due to Ukraine’s targeting of such locations.
Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have driven up domestic gas prices since Trump decided to strike Iran in late February, causing many voters to sour on both Trump himself and the broader GOP ahead of November’s midterm elections. Trump’s Friday announcement was framed as an opportunity to alleviate such “affordability” concerns, as he claimed global diesel prices would come down in “record numbers” due to the deal.
“Trump’s decision… makes no sense and is a betrayal of the legacy and leadership of the late Senator Lindsey Graham,” Pence argued, referencing recently passed sanctions in honor of the late Republican South Carolina senator, a foreign policy hawk. “As I saw firsthand in Ukraine last month, Putin is losing this war. Ukraine has fought the Russian military to a standstill and reinvented warfare with drones taking the fight into the heart of Russia. America should not be throwing a lifeline to Putin’s war machine. Now is the time to stand strong against Russian aggression as we did during the first Trump administration.”
Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers said at a campaign event on Friday he doesn’t support importing Russian oil, as did Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA). Other GOP lawmakers who similarly criticized the deal and Trump’s rhetoric include Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rep. Michael McFaul (R-TX).
ZELENSKY BASHES TRUMP OVER DIESEL DEAL WITH RUSSIA
“Russia is going to use all of the money they receive from providing the US with diesel to keep killing Ukrainians and helping Iran attack Americans,” Loomer said, linking the announcement to Russia’s ties to Iran. “Don’t forget, Iran is actively offering a bounty for the President’s head.”
“Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 tons immediately thereafter,” Trump outlined in the Friday afternoon announcement. “Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel.”
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
