On October 10, 2026, Senator Richard Blumenthal sharply criticized the decision of the Donald Trump administration to lift sanctions on Russian diesel fuel, stating that this makes the US complicit in Putin's war against Ukraine.
Call to Reverse the Decision
Blumenthal urged President Trump to immediately reverse this decision, emphasizing that American companies considering purchasing Russian fuel should be aware that Congress is watching them. He noted that this decision is a serious step back in the fight against Russian aggression.
Reactions from Political Leaders
The criticism of the decision was not limited to Senator Blumenthal. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and other senators such as Jeanne Shaheen and Elizabeth Warren also expressed their outrage, calling the decision a "complete betrayal" of Ukraine and US national security. They reminded that just recently Congress passed the "Hellish Sanctions" law aimed at reducing Russia's oil and gas export revenues, which Trump signed but did not implement.
Moral Aspects of Supporting the Russian Economy
Criticism also came from some Republicans. Congressman Don Bacon stated that supporting the Russian military economy is "morally wrong" as this money is used for attacks on Ukrainian cities. Another Republican, Michael McCaul, emphasized that lifting restrictions on Russian oil and petroleum products would "finance the Kremlin's war machine".