URGENT: We Must Act Now to Stop Putin’s Diesel Deal!

Dear Members of the Lithuanian American Community,

This week, you may have heard that the President announced a “deal” with Vladimir Putin to lift U.S. sanctions on Russia and to allow millions of tons of Russian diesel fuel to reach the U.S.

We all know that Russian oil and gas fund Putin’s war machine that has committed atrocities on the free people of Ukraine.  Instead of working to end Putin’s vile rampage, this dirty diesel will give him more resources to wreak more havoc, and with more blood money, Putin could fund more hybrid attacks on Lithuania.

We agree with the bipartisan group of Senators, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Curtis (R-UT), who on Sunday, said: 

“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine. Congress was clear: the U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies.

“President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law. The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute.

“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course.”

We hailed the passage of H.R.10076, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 a few weeks ago.  This dirty diesel deal is a staggering reversal.

We ask you to contact your Members of Congress, and tell them how awful this decision is.  We need Congress to stop this dirty diesel deal and to instead provide Ukrainians with the support that they need to defend themselves, and we need them to support defense in the Baltic States, too.

Thank you for standing up and speaking up for Lithuanian security and defense! 

Best regards,

Krista Bard

Chair, Public Affairs Committee

Lithuanian American Community, Inc.