Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Revoke 300,000-Ton Russian Diesel Waiver

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced legislation on October 24 to cancel a Treasury Department waiver that allows imports of Russian diesel. The bill would also mandate rapid congressional notification if satellite communications for Ukraine are interrupted again.

The measure, titled the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026, targets the waiver issued on October 9. That authorization permits transactions involving Russian diesel, including US imports. The waiver is currently set to expire on April 7, 2027. The new bill would void it immediately and bar future waivers for Russian energy imports.

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the bill. It is co-sponsored by Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The legislation requires intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense efforts. It also requires those agencies to notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any interruption in support. The measure has been referred to three House committees.

The push follows reports that Ukraine faced restrictions on using SpaceX's Starlink and military-grade Starshield satellite systems. Ukrainian officials stated that these disruptions affected military operations, particularly for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. Kyiv reported on October 24 that connection speeds had been restored, though officials said they still did not know who imposed the limits. A Ukrainian official told RFE/RL that Kyiv has been in contact with the US government but has not received an explanation.

President Donald Trump defended the diesel arrangement as a way to expand global supplies and lower prices. He announced the deal after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia agreed to provide more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. Diesel prices have risen sharply due to supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

Critics argue the waiver weakens a 2022 federal ban on Russian oil imports. Fitzpatrick said, "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil." Bacon described the waiver as "egregious appeasement" to Putin. Gluesenkamp Perez argued that Trump should work to end the war in Iran to lower gasoline prices rather than directing money to Russia.

Separately, eight lawmakers from both parties asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon's Starshield contract. They want guaranteed service for Ukraine's military operations, including over Russian territory. The group suggested using the Defense Production Act to prevent service decisions from resting solely with a private provider. Senator Richard Blumenthal has demanded written answers from Elon Musk by November 5 and a briefing by November 12.