Congress Moves to Void Russian Diesel Deal

A bipartisan coalition of United States lawmakers has introduced legislation to revoke a recent waiver permitting imports of Russian diesel fuel. The measure also seeks to require the Pentagon to report any interruptions in satellite communications services for Ukraine within 24 hours. The bills respond to a Treasury Department action taken on October 9 and to reported restrictions on Ukrainian access to SpaceX satellite systems.

The Treasury waiver authorizes transactions involving Russian diesel, including direct imports into the United States. President Donald Trump announced the arrangement following discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump stated that Russia agreed to supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets immediately, with additional volumes to follow. The waiver is scheduled 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. His co-sponsors are Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, a Republican, and Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, a Democrat. The bill would cancel the October 9 waiver and prohibit future waivers for Russian energy imports. It also mandates that intelligence agencies support Ukraine's defense and notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any service interruption. The measure has been referred to three House committees.

Fitzpatrick argued that the waiver undermines the 2022 federal ban on Russian oil imports. He stated that the United States must not import a single drop of Russian oil. Bacon characterized the administration's approach as an egregious appeasement of Putin, arguing that Congress must serve as a check on the president. Gluesenkamp Perez suggested that if the goal is to lower gasoline prices, the administration should focus on ending the war in Iran rather than directing American money toward Russia.

The legislative push coincides with concerns over Ukraine's access to Starlink and Starshield satellite communications. Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions introduced on October 13 disrupted communications for drones and other platforms moving faster than 100 miles per hour. These disruptions hindered the guidance of defensive drones. Zelenskyy stated that the limits remained in place despite Trump's claim that service had been restored after contact with Elon Musk. Ukrainian officials reported on October 24 that satellite connection speeds had been restored, though they said no one had explained the cause or future stability of the service.

A Ukrainian official familiar with the matter told RFE/RL that SpaceX had not responded to Kyiv regarding the earlier limits. The official said Kyiv has been in contact with the US government but noted that no one has explained what happened or what will happen next. On the congressional side, eight lawmakers from both parties, including Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, and Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin, urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon's Starshield contract. They requested restored speeds, adequate coverage for military operations over Russian territory, and a smooth transition from commercial Starlink to government-contracted Starshield.

The lawmakers suggested using the Defense Production Act to ensure service continuity. They wrote that service decisions should not be left solely to the discretion of a private provider. Several Democrats are seeking further answers regarding the origin of the restrictions. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch questioned Musk's claim that the military and the president decided on the limits, citing reports that Musk himself proposed them.

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 denied that Trump 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.