Bipartisan Bloc Targets Russian Fuel Deal

A bipartisan coalition of US representatives and senators moved this week to reverse a Treasury Department waiver that permits the import of Russian diesel. The legislative push directly challenges President Donald Trump’s recent energy policy, which was designed to lower global fuel prices following supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

The controversy centers on a waiver issued on October 9, 2026, which authorized transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, including imports into the United States. Trump announced the deal after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia agreed to immediately provide more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. The waiver is set to expire on April 7, 2027.

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026. The bill is co-sponsored by Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The measure would cancel the current waiver and prohibit future waivers for Russian energy imports. It also requires intelligence agencies to support Ukraine’s defense and notify congressional committees within 24 hours of any service interruption.

Fitzpatrick argued that the waiver undercuts a federal ban on Russian oil imports established in 2022. He stated, "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil." Bacon described the move as a necessary check on what he called "egregious appeasement" by the president. Gluesenkamp Perez suggested that if the administration seeks lower gasoline prices, it should focus on ending the war in Iran rather than directing American money toward Russia.

Simultaneously, eight lawmakers from both parties are pressing the Defense Department to secure Ukraine’s access to satellite communications. The group includes Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, along with Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin. They urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon’s Starshield contract to guarantee uninterrupted service for military operations, including over Russian territory.

The satellite dispute began with reports that restrictions were imposed on Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield systems. Ukrainian officials said the disruptions affected military operations, particularly for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. Kyiv reported on October 24 that connection speeds had been restored, but a Ukrainian official noted that SpaceX had not explained the earlier limits. The official said, "no one has explained what happened or what will happen next."

The eight lawmakers proposed using the Defense Production Act to ensure service decisions are not left solely to a private provider. They requested restored speeds and adequate coverage for lawful military operations. Senator Tillis criticized the lack of clarity on X, writing that whoever is handing Putin "the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine" should "have the guts to put their name on it."

Democratic lawmakers are also seeking accountability regarding the origin of the restrictions. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch questioned Elon Musk’s claim that the military and the president decided on the limits, citing reports that Musk proposed them. Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Trump or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions. President Zelenskyy has maintained that the limits stayed in place despite Trump’s earlier claim that service had been restored after contact with Musk. The legislative and inquiry efforts aim to clarify the roles of the executive branch, the private sector, and Congress in supporting Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities.