Republicans Are Threatening To Block Pentagon Funding Over The "diesel Deal"
- 19.10.2026, 17:10
What will be the consequences of Trump's concessions to Russia regarding sanctions?
U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to refrain from imposing new sanctions against Russia has drawn sharp criticism in Washington. Easing restrictions on Russian energy exports could give the Kremlin additional funds to continue the war against Ukraine, and the White House’s attempts to lower fuel prices have led to a conflict even with the president’s own party members, writes Axios.
On Friday, Trump suspended the imposition of sanctions against Russia and tariffs on the largest buyers of its energy resources. These measures are provided for in a bipartisan law that the president signed just a month ago. The decision followed a separate relaxation of restrictions aimed at increasing Russian diesel fuel exports amid rising global prices.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright called the deal a “carrot” intended to encourage Moscow to scale back its military operations. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a different explanation for the pause: the administration needs 60 days to assess the impact of the sanctions on the U.S. and global economies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized both the diesel deal and the decision not to impose new sanctions. Trump himself, on the other hand, accused Kyiv of striking Russian oil refineries, stating that they are harming the global diesel market, including in the U.S.
(Discontent is growing https://charter97.org/ru/news/2026/10/19/702383/) within the Republican Party. Senator Tom Tillis called Trump’s decision “extremely irresponsible.” Other Republicans have also spoken out against easing pressure on Moscow.
A group of Republicans in the House of Representatives is prepared to block additional funding for the Pentagon unless the administration toughens its policy toward Russia. With just a few weeks to go before the midterm elections, concessions to the Kremlin are becoming a serious domestic political problem for Trump.