Trump’s Russian diesel deal draws backlash from Republicans, Europeans and industry shrug

President that of Donald Trump The plan to buy Russian diesel is burning political capital at home and abroad – despite industry skepticism that it will come to fruition.

From announcing Friday that Russia would supply millions of barrels of diesel to the United States and the world, Asset shifted its focus to domestic supplies — announcing plans Wednesday sell natural gas from Alaska to Taiwan, and even revisit the idea of ​​capping US diesel exports which infuriated the oil industry last month. But Republican lawmakers and their European allies remain focused on his Russia strategy.

“The agreement you made with the president (Vladimir) Poutine October 9 will neither achieve just ends nor benefit Americans,” said a bipartisan group of senators – including Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) — written in a letter Tuesday. “This agreement is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our allies; it should be canceled.”

European leaders, from Ireland to Latvia warned that Trump’s announcement this would undermine Ukraine’s campaign against Russia. “This agreement contributes neither to the rise in prices of petroleum products nor to the unity of the transatlantic community,” declared the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Kęstutis Budrys.