300,000 tons of diesel drive new congressional pushback

The dispute centers on a specific volume of fuel.

On October 9, the Treasury Department issued a waiver authorizing transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, including imports into the United States. President Trump defended the move after discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stated that Russia had agreed to immediately provide more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. Trump cited the need to expand global supplies and lower prices, noting that diesel costs had risen due to energy disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

The waiver is set to expire on April 7, 2027. A new legislative effort seeks to end it early. 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 would cancel the current waiver and prohibit future waivers for Russian energy imports. It also requires intelligence agencies to support Ukraine’s defense and notify congressional committees within 24 hours of any interruption. Co-sponsors include Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The measure has been referred to three House committees.

Lawmakers argue the waiver weakens the 2022 federal ban on Russian oil imports. Fitzpatrick stated, "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil." Bacon accused the administration of reversing its past criticism of Europe for buying Russian energy. He told RFE/RL that "Congress must be a check to the president’s egregious appeasement to Putin." Gluesenkamp Perez argued that the president should focus on ending the Iran conflict to lower gasoline prices rather than directing American money toward Russia.

A separate issue involves satellite communications. Reports indicated that Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s Starlink and the military-grade Starshield systems had been restricted. Ukrainian officials said these disruptions affected military operations. Restrictions introduced on October 13 reportedly hindered communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that limits remained despite Trump’s claim that service was restored. On October 24, Kyiv reported that satellite connection speeds had been restored.

Eight lawmakers from both parties, including Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick and Mike Quigley, and Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis and Elissa Slotkin, wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They urged the Pentagon to expand its Starshield contract to guarantee uninterrupted service. The group suggested using the Defense Production Act, writing that service decisions "should not be left solely to the discretion of a private provider."

Democratic leaders are seeking clarity on who imposed the limits. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch questioned Elon Musk’s claim that the military and the president decided on the restrictions. Senator Richard Blumenthal has demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna and Jimmy Panetta have asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied that Trump or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions.

The next formal step is scheduled for November 5, when Blumenthal’s deadline for written responses from Musk arrives.