"Betrayal of Ukraine": US senators accuse Trump of helping Putin's war machine

US Democratic senators called President Donald Trump's decision to ease sanctions on the sale of Russian diesel fuel "a betrayal of Ukraine, European allies and US national security." They urged the American president to end the war with Iran, rather than facilitate financing of Russia's war machine. This is stated in a joint statement by the Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Elizabeth Warren, published on the official website of Senate Democrats.

Senators condemned the Trump administration's decision to allow purchases of Russian diesel worldwide for six months. To this end, the US Department of the Treasury issued General License No. 135, which eases sanctions restrictions on the sale of Russian fuel.

Read also: "We will strike Russian refineries": Ukraine responds to Trump's agreement with Putin

They linked the decision to rising gasoline and diesel fuel prices in the US after the start of the war with Iran. In the senators' view, instead of seeking ways to reduce American expenses and cooperating with European allies, the Trump administration resorted to deals with Vladimir Putin.

Democrats also said the decision contradicts Congress's efforts to restrict Russian revenues that it uses to finance the war against Ukraine. According to them, only a few weeks ago Congress passed legislative measures aimed at reducing such inflows and restricting purchases of Russian oil and gas.

Recall that on October 9, Trump announced an agreement under which Russia is to supply 300 thousand tons of diesel fuel to the world market immediately, and more later.

As Financial Times reported, Ukraine will continue to carry out long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities, despite the agreement between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on resuming exports of Russian diesel fuel.