Lawmakers Move to Block Russian Diesel Imports and Restore Ukraine Satellite Links

American drivers and policymakers are reacting to a new deal that allows Russian diesel to enter the US market. Lawmakers from both parties introduced measures on Friday to reverse a recent Treasury decision and restore full satellite connectivity for Ukraine. The push comes after President Donald Trump authorized the import of over 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel fuel.

The legislative effort targets a waiver issued by the Treasury Department on October 9. This authorization permits transactions involving Russian diesel, including imports into the United States. The waiver is scheduled to expire on April 7, 2027. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026 to cancel this waiver. He is joined by Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

The bill would bar future waivers for Russian energy imports and require intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense. It also mandates that intelligence committees be notified within 24 hours of any service interruption. The measure is currently under review by three House committees. Sponsors argue the waiver undermines a 2022 federal ban on Russian oil imports. Fitzpatrick stated, "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil." Bacon added that Congress must act as a check against what he called the president's appeasement of Putin.

Separately, eight lawmakers urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon's contract with SpaceX. They requested that the government guarantee uninterrupted service for Ukraine's military operations. This follows reports that restrictions imposed on October 13 disrupted communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. Ukrainian officials said these limits hindered the guidance of defensive drones. A Ukrainian official told RFE/RL that no one has explained the cause of the restrictions or what will happen next.

President Trump defended the diesel deal as a way to lower prices, citing an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He announced the deal after talks with Putin, noting that diesel prices have risen due to energy disruptions linked to the war in Iran. On the satellite issue, several Democrats are seeking answers from SpaceX and the White House. Senator Richard Blumenthal has demanded written answers from Elon Musk by November 5. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta have asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation into the restrictions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied that Trump or other officials ordered the satellite restrictions. Senator Mark Tillis wrote on X that whoever is helping Putin should put their name on it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the limits remained in place despite Trump's claim that service had been restored. Ukrainian officials reported on October 24 that satellite connection speeds had been restored, though the specific entity that imposed the earlier limits remains unclear.