Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and a cross-party group of 12 US senators have called on President Donald Trump to scrap the agreement with Russia on diesel fuel and revoke General Licence No. 135. Lawmakers believe that easing the restrictions provides the Kremlin with additional revenue for its war against Ukraine. As of 13 October, the document remains in force.
Briefly about the main points
- Blumenthal described Moscow’s actions as an obstacle to genuine negotiations.
- The letter to Trump was signed by six Democrats and six Republicans.
- The licence authorises the sale, delivery, unloading and import of Russian diesel.
- Trump links the agreement to the stabilisation of fuel prices.
- There is no confirmed energy truce between Kyiv and Moscow.
Blumenthal described the cessation of attacks as a test for the Kremlin
13 October Blumenthal wrote on the social media platform X that Russia’s economic concessions are reducing Moscow’s interest in genuine negotiations on end of war. He described the diesel deal as a failure and stated that Vladimir Putin is attempting to use the winter cold as a means of exerting pressure on Ukrainians.
In the senator’s view, Russia’s willingness to pursue a diplomatic settlement should be judged by whether it stops attacking energy infrastructure, rather than by its public statements. «Zelenskyy agreed. Putin continues the bombing», he said, commenting on the proposal to put a stop to such attacks.
Ukraine has stated its readiness to support an energy ceasefire, provided Russia adheres to it. Reuters reported that, as of 13 October, there was no confirmed bilateral agreement to halt the attacks.
A cross-party letter calls for increased pressure on Russia
The letter to the President was signed by 12 senators — six from the Democratic Party and six from the Republican Party. Among the Republicans who signed the letter were — Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Tom Tillis, John Cornyn and Alan Armstrong.
The authors of the letter described the agreement as a threat to US national security, a weakening of international pressure on Russia and a source of additional revenue for Kremlin. They called on the administration to make use of the sanctions powers provided for under the Lindsey Graham Act on Russia and Iran, which was signed in September 2026.
The senators also emphasised that the war must come to an end on fair terms, whilst preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty and ensuring its security.
The agreement provides for new supplies of Russian fuel
9 October Trump announced an agreement with Putin, explaining that it was intended to increase the global supply of diesel and curb price rises. Under the announced plan, Russia is to supply over 300,000 tonnes of fuel in the initial phase, a further 500,000 tonnes in November, with additional volumes planned for the future.
On the same day, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury issued General Licence No. 135. It authorises certain transactions involving the sale, delivery, unloading and import of diesel fuel of Russian origin.
The President stated that the decision should reduce fuel costs for American consumers, and the administration hopes that the economic agreement will bring Russia back to the negotiating table. At the same time, Reuters estimated that the initial volume of supplies was equivalent to just a few days’ worth of diesel consumption in the US.
The dispute is intensifying ahead of the congressional elections
The debate over the Russian diesel engine is intensifying in the run-up to the US mid-term congressional elections, scheduled for 3 November. The fact that six Republican senators have signed the letter highlights divisions within Trump’s party over policy towards Russia.
The President continues to justify the decision on the grounds of the need to stabilise the energy market. Licence No. 135 remains in force as of 13 October, whilst the issue of putting an end to Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector remains unresolved.
