300,000 Metric Tons of Russian Diesel Spawns New Bipartisan Bill

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on Friday to cancel a recent waiver that allows the import of 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel. The move directly challenges President Donald Trump's decision to ease limits on Russian energy imports while simultaneously demanding that the White House guarantee Ukraine's access to American satellite communications.

The Treasury Department issued the waiver on October 9, authorizing transactions involving Russian diesel fuel. 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 aims to cancel that specific waiver and bar any future waivers for Russian energy imports. Co-sponsors include Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

Fitzpatrick argued that the waiver undercuts a federal ban on Russian oil imports established in 2022. "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil," he stated. Bacon described the presidential decision as "egregious appeasement to Putin" and said Congress must serve as a check on the administration. Gluesenkamp Perez suggested that the president should focus on ending the war in Iran to lower gasoline prices rather than directing American money toward Russia.

The legislation also includes provisions for intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense. It requires these agencies to notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any interruption to that support. The bill has been sent to three House committees for review. Trump defended the diesel arrangement as a method to expand global supplies and lower prices, noting that Russia agreed to provide the fuel to U.S. and global markets following talks with President Vladimir Putin.

Separate from the energy dispute, eight lawmakers are pressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon's Starshield contract. The group, which includes Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, as well as Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin, seeks to guarantee uninterrupted satellite service for Ukraine. They requested restored speeds, adequate coverage over Russian territory, and a smooth transition from commercial Starlink to government-contracted Starshield.

Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions imposed on October 13 disrupted communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. These disruptions hindered the guidance of defensive drones. Although Ukrainian officials said connection speeds were restored on October 24, they noted that no one has explained the cause of the earlier limits or what will happen next. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the limits remained in place despite Trump's claim that service had been restored after contact with Elon Musk.

Several Democrats are seeking formal answers regarding the satellite restrictions. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation. Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the president or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions. Senator Thom Tillis wrote on X that whoever is handing Putin the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine should have the guts to put their name on it.

The bill's sponsors and the satellite advocates operate on the premise that steps benefiting Moscow or hampering Ukraine's battlefield capabilities could harm U.S. national security. The measures aim to weaken the administration's unilateral approach to the war in Europe by restoring congressional oversight and securing technological advantages for Kyiv.