1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the administration’s decision to license Russian diesel sales to American and global markets, and to demand the immediate withdrawal of General License 135. Following a call with Putin, the President announced that Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, with as much as 4.8 million tons to follow. Every ton Russia sells funds the war machine that bombs Ukrainian cities, homes, schools, and hospitals every night, abducts Ukrainian children, and hunts civilians in the streets of Kherson. If this fuel comes to the American market, the United States becomes a direct participant in financing that war. This deal offers Americans nothing in return. We already produce more diesel than we consume. Russia’s initial shipment would cover less than 15 hours of US consumption, and even the full 5.1 million tons would last [less than two weeks]. It is a false promise to truckers, farmers, and ranchers, and it does nothing to protect families from inflation. The real winner is the Kremlin. American sanctions force Russia to sell oil at a steep discount to evaders who risk getting caught. Licensing these sales erases that discount and throws a lifeline to Russia’s struggling wartime economy. Only a month ago, the President criticized our European allies for buying Russian gas. Now we are doing it ourselves. The timing makes this decision indefensible. In nine days, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act takes effect. Its force depends on a simple premise: anyone who buys Russian energy will face real consequences from the United States. Licensing Russian fuel sales on the eve of implementation undermines that premise. It also contradicts the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act (Public Law 117-109), which prohibits Russian energy imports until Russia withdraws its forces and ceases hostilities on terms acceptable to Ukraine, followed by a 90-day congressional review. Moscow has also chosen to stand against Americans. Russia has given Iran intelligence to target US service members in the Middle East, where Iranian strikes have killed American troops. That conduct should be met with pressure, not rewarded with fresh revenue. Ukraine must not be made the scapegoat for high fuel prices. The crisis began with the war on Iran, not Ukraine’s refinery strikes, which started more than a year ago. If the administration is concerned about Russia’s refineries, it should press Moscow to accept Ukraine’s offer of a mutual energy ceasefire. Americans are clear on this. Polls consistently show an overwhelming majority, including 69% of Republicans, support strengthening sanctions on Russia. I urge you to: * Demand the immediate withdrawal of General License 135 * Use congressional oversight to enforce Public Law 117-109 and the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act