Bessent defends legal authority for US diesel supply deal with Russia
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the diesel deal with Russia is legally authorised, amid bipartisan criticism and objections from Ukraine.
Washington, United States. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that the Trump administration would carry out its diesel supply deal with Russia under existing legal authority, rejecting claims in Congress that sanctions laws prohibit it.
Treasury secretary defends deal
Speaking to Fox News, Bessent said lawmakers were wrong to argue that either earlier legislation or the Lindsey Graham bill prevented the administration from implementing the agreement.
Bessent said the deal, announced by President Donald Trump on Friday, was “good for Americans” because it would lower oil prices.
A Treasury general licence exempts Russian diesel already loaded onto tankers as of Friday from US sanctions until April 2027.
Sanctions laws and congressional opposition
Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in September. The law allows tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian energy. The Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022 also raises legal questions about the deal.
Lawmakers from both parties have criticised the agreement. Republican Brian Fitzpatrick plans to introduce a bill to prevent the president from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russian oil.
Ukraine’s response
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said the sanctions relief encouraged Russia to continue its attacks.
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