1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to express my absolute opposition to Trump’s Russian diesel agreement and his decision to ease sanctions on Russian energy. Russia is our adversary. Supporting Russia financially undermines American national security, strengthens Putin’s war against Ukraine, and endangers our European allies. Congress must act to stop this agreement and restore sanctions immediately. Russia has reportedly provided Iran with intelligence to help target American military personnel and assets. We are talking about a country helping another American adversary attack our service members, yet Trump wants to reward Russia with additional energy revenue. How is that remotely defensible? The diesel crisis is being driven in significant part by Trump’s war with Iran. Now he wants to address the resulting economic consequences by enriching Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Ukraine is attacking Russian refineries to weaken the energy revenues that sustain Russia’s war. Ukraine has every right to strike legitimate targets supporting Russia’s military aggression, consistent with international humanitarian law. Instead of supporting Ukraine’s defense, Trump is pressuring Ukraine to stop while easing economic pressure on Russia. The United States should have supported Ukraine far more forcefully since Russia seized Crimea in 2014. This failure spans multiple administrations and both parties. Obama, Trump’s first administration, and Biden all had opportunities to do more. Stronger, earlier military support might have changed the course of this war. Instead, years of hesitation have allowed Russian aggression to continue. European nations are now preparing for the possibility of further Russian aggression, including attacks on NATO territory. Their security is inseparable from ours. Every additional source of revenue available to Putin potentially strengthens Russia’s ability to continue its war and threaten our allies. Supporting Russia economically while undermining Ukraine is not a defensible American national security policy. My position is absolute: No sanctions relief that helps finance Russia’s war. No American purchases that enrich Putin. No sacrificing Ukrainian or European security. No rewarding a country reportedly helping Iran target American troops. And no using the economic consequences of Trump’s war with Iran as an excuse to strengthen another American adversary. I urge Congress to block this agreement, restore sanctions, demand disclosure of its terms, and strengthen American support for Ukraine. This is a matter of American national security, and I expect Congress to act regardless of party.