Twelve US senators, including former Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Senate India Caucus co-chair John Cornyn, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, formally urged President Donald Trump to rescind his recently announced Russian diesel deal and deploy new sanctions powers against Moscow's 'chief enablers' — explicitly naming China. The bipartisan letter marks a significant broadening of congressional opposition to the agreement Trump announced just four days earlier.

What the Letter Says

'This deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies; it should be rescinded,' the senators wrote directly to Trump. The letter specifically targets Treasury Department General License No. 135, which the senators said 'lifts sanctions on Russia's diesel exports,' arguing the move 'damages American security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who continue to defend themselves from Putin's murderous, illegal war.'

The senators called on Trump to instead invoke the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which he signed in September 2026. 'These authorities require you to apply economic pressure on Russia and the chief enablers of its war, in particular China, and thereby enhance your negotiating position to bring a swift end to this ruinous conflict,' they wrote. Notably, the letter does not mention India.

Who Signed the Letter

The letter carries signatures from both parties, underscoring the depth of unease on Capitol Hill. Democrats who signed include Dick Durbin, Richard Blumenthal, Jeanne Shaheen, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed, and Chris Coons. On the Republican side: Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Alan Armstrong, Lisa Murkowski, McConnell, and Cornyn.

This represents a widening of opposition from a previous letter on Sunday, when seven senators led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Shaheen had urged a reversal. McConnell, Cornyn, and Armstrong were not among that earlier group, making Tuesday's letter a meaningful escalation.

Trump Defends the Deal

Trump pushed back on the criticism on Tuesday as he departed the White House for Alaska. 'It's a deal for the world. It's not a deal for us. It's a way of getting a lot of oil out to the world. It's not a deal with me. It's a deal for the world, and it brought down prices,' Trump told reporters on the South Lawn, according to a pool report.

When asked whether Russia would use diesel revenue to purchase weapons, Trump replied: 'Nobody told me anything. That's a diesel deal, not for us.' The president announced the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 9 October 2026. Congress had banned Russian energy imports into the US in 2022.

Energy Costs and the Graham Act

The senators acknowledged 'the urgent need to lower energy costs for American families' in the context of ongoing conflict with Iran, but argued the deal 'will have a negligible impact on fuel prices' — directly undercutting the administration's primary rationale. They concluded bluntly: 'Putin is a tyrant. Withdraw from this agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute the authorities provided under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.'

The Graham Act grants the President authority to impose duties of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries that rank among the largest buyers of Russian crude oil and continue making new purchases. The first duties under Section 113 can take effect as early as 18 October 2026. The administration has not yet clarified whether India will be subject to these duties or whether Trump intends to issue a waiver.

What Comes Next

With bipartisan Senate pressure mounting and a potential sanctions deadline on 18 October, the White House faces a narrowing window to either defend the diesel deal or offer a political off-ramp. The question of whether India — a major buyer of Russian crude — will receive a waiver under the Graham Act remains unanswered, adding a significant dimension for New Delhi to monitor closely.