Congress Moves to Block Russian Diesel Imports and Secure Satellite Links for Ukraine
Lawmakers from both parties are introducing legislation and formal inquiries to challenge new energy waivers and clarify why Ukrainian satellite access was briefly restricted.
By Olga Menon ·
A bipartisan coalition in the US House and Senate is challenging the Trump administration over two distinct policy moves: a waiver for Russian diesel imports and recent disruptions to Ukrainian satellite communications.
The congressional pushback targets a Treasury Department waiver issued on October 9 that allows transactions involving Russian diesel, including imports into the United States. The waiver is scheduled to expire on April 7, 2027. President Trump announced the deal after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia would immediately provide more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. Trump argued the move would expand global supplies and lower prices, a response to rising diesel costs linked to energy disruptions from the war in Iran.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican, introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026 to counter the executive action. Co-sponsored by Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, the bill would cancel the current waiver and ban future waivers for Russian energy imports. The measure also requires intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense and notify congressional committees within 24 hours of any service interruption. Fitzpatrick stated, "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil." Bacon described the administration's approach as "egregious appeasement to Putin," while Gluesenkamp Perez argued the president should end the war in Iran to lower gasoline prices rather than send money to Russia.
Simultaneously, eight lawmakers, including Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, and Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They urged the Pentagon to expand its Starshield contract to guarantee uninterrupted satellite service for Ukraine. The group requested restored speeds and adequate coverage for military operations, including over Russian territory. They suggested using the Defense Production Act, noting that service decisions "should not be left solely to a private provider."
Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions introduced on October 13 disrupted communications for drones and platforms moving faster than 100 miles per hour. These limits hindered the guidance of defensive drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the limits persisted despite Trump's claim that service had been restored after contact with Elon Musk. Kyiv reported on October 24 that connection speeds had been restored, but a Ukrainian official told RFE/RL that SpaceX had not responded to questions about the earlier limits. The official said, "no one has explained what happened or what will happen next."
Several Democrats are seeking formal answers regarding who imposed the restrictions. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch questioned Musk's claim that the military and the president decided on the limits, citing reports that Musk proposed them. Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Trump or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions. Senator Thom Tillis wrote that whoever is handing Putin "the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine" should "have the guts to put their name on it."
Source: RFE/RL
