WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick plans to force a House vote on legislation blocking Russian oil purchases, challenging President Donald Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports, as lawmakers warn the move could help finance Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
Fitzpatrick (Republican of Pennsylvania), co-chair of the House Ukraine Caucus, announced on October 10 that he would introduce the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act.
“We will introduce bipartisan legislation to block all purchases of Russian oil,” Fitzpatrick wrote on »
Representative Don Bacon (Republican of Nebraska) has agreed to co-sponsor the bill. No Democratic sponsor has been identified.
A discharge petition can force a vote in the House without approval from the relevant committee or House leadership if it obtains 218 signatures.
This effort faces time constraints: Congress is not expected to resume voting for several weeks, and the current congressional term ends in January. Any bill would also require Senate approval and could face opposition from the White House.
Fitzpatrick invoked former President Ronald Reagan’s approach to Moscow and reaffirmed Congress’s support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Trump has again criticized.
“Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia is directly responsible,” Fitzpatrick wrote, adding that Congress and the American people support Zelensky “until Ukrainian victory is achieved.”
Republicans question cancellation of sanctions
The bill reflects concern among some Republicans that easing Russian energy restrictions could weaken pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that lifting sanctions could “fund the Kremlin’s war machine – emboldening further violence and destruction.”
He cited the Lindsey O. Graham Act sanctioning Russia and Iran, which Trump signed in September. The law allows the president, under certain conditions, to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy. McCaul said this gives Trump leverage over Russia and China to help secure a negotiated end to the war.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) urged Trump to use these authorities instead of allowing Russia to earn more revenue from its diesel exports.
“We can discuss Russia’s return to global energy markets once the war is over, but in the meantime we must cut off everything that powers it,” she wrote on social media.
Democrats cite current oil ban
Democrats and former officials also highlighted the Ending Russian Oil Imports Act of 2022, which bans imports of Russian oil into the United States unless the president certifies that Russia has met specified conditions, including withdrawal from Ukraine, recognition of Ukrainian sovereignty and no threat to NATO.
The law passed the Senate 100-0 and the House 413-9 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Former Rep. Tom Malinowski, also a former senior State Department official, urged Democratic leaders to use expedited procedures under the law to challenge the administration’s decision.
“Under this law, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate can introduce a ‘joint resolution of disapproval’ to prevent the purchase of Russian oil, which Congress must then vote on on an expedited basis,” Malinowski wrote on social media.
“Schumer and Jeffries should do this as soon as possible,” he added, referring to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The key question remains whether the 2022 law will apply to the latest deal, as the administration’s temporary authorization for Russian diesel exports comes under scrutiny.
Advocates warn of damage from sanctions
Daniel Balson, Razom’s Ukraine advocacy director, told RFE/RL that Trump’s decision defeated the purpose of the sanctions legislation passed weeks earlier.
“Three weeks ago, Congress passed the Lindsey Graham Act sanctioning Russia and Iran. This bill was intended to force other countries to reduce their energy dependence on Russia. President Trump’s recent decision has only increased ours,” Balson said.
He urged lawmakers to challenge the decision aimed at protecting Ukraine and the credibility of Congress’ action. Although he hasn’t seen Fitzpatrick’s bill, Balson said Ukraine supporters will pursue “all legislative avenues” to oppose the decision.
Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who typically votes with Democrats, said in a statement that the deal would provide little relief to U.S. consumers while benefiting Russia.
Citing administrative figures, King said the deal was for 300,000 tons of diesel for October and 500,000 tons for November, roughly equivalent to daily U.S. diesel consumption.
“This so-called deal with Russia will do little for America and much for Vladimir Putin as he seeks to continue his murderous campaign against Ukraine,” King said. He called the deal a “fraud.”
Trump again calls for Zelensky’s replacement
On October 10, Trump renewed his attacks on Zelensky, saying Ukraine should hold elections and replace its president with a leader willing to reach an agreement with Russia.
“Well, I think he should have had an election. And he could have fixed this issue several times,” Trump told reporters.
Earlier, Trump said Ukraine should “find a new leader who can make a deal.” He also demanded that kyiv “completely stop” attacking Russian oil refineries, which Ukraine has targeted to disrupt Moscow’s war economy and fuel supplies.
Trump blamed Zelensky for failing to reach a settlement, an assertion at odds with kyiv’s position that any deal must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and with lawmakers’ calls to keep up pressure on Moscow. Trump also portrayed Putin as eager for peace and welcomed the release of Russian oil onto world markets.
“It sure looks bad. The president has a history of moral blindness toward Putin. Supporting Russia’s war economy is terrible,” Bacon told RFE/RL.
Trump’s remarks came hours after Russian strikes killed at least 20 people in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya.
Zelensky said elections could not take place under martial law and amid security risks created by the Russian invasion. Ukrainian officials also spoke of the need to ensure that soldiers and displaced citizens can participate in a credible vote.
On October 10, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha issued a statement supporting the Ukrainian president.
Zelensky “is leading our nation in a time of war – a war for independence, freedom and dignity. He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well. He deserves support,” Sybiha wrote about X.
EU refuses to ease pressure on Russia
European officials have criticized the diesel deal, warning that additional energy revenue from Russia could help support the war.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russian strikes had killed more than 80 Ukrainian civilians over the past two days and that Moscow had stepped up its hybrid attacks against EU member states and NATO allies.
“Now is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe will not,” Kallas said, adding that EU foreign ministers planned to announce a new round of major sanctions on October 12, targeting people and organizations supporting Moscow’s war effort.
Germany also reaffirmed its commitment to existing sanctions and said it would work with its European partners on new measures.
A spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin was maintaining its restrictions, while government spokesman Stefan Kornelius reiterated his support for Ukraine. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche also supported the EU sanctions.
The German Fuel and Energy Trade Association said it did not expect the deal to have a major effect on gas station prices.
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