Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin has warned oil companies that they could face fines of up to $1 million and prison sentences if they import diesel fuel from Russia. The Kremlin previously stated that shipments under agreements with the US have already begun and will continue.
US Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) has threatened oil companies with legal action should they import Russian diesel fuel. This warning was conveyed in a letter addressed to the American Petroleum Institute, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers association. Companies could face sanctions, including fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of as long as 20 years.
Raskin cautioned that any easing of sanctions by the current administration cannot override the ban on Russian energy imports established by Congress.
“Those who choose to take such a step do so at their own peril and will undoubtedly be held accountable to the full extent of the law—whether under this administration or the next,” the Democrat stated.
Previously, the news outlet Axios reported that Democrats have begun preparations for a potential investigation into the diesel deal with Russia. “Any importation of Russian diesel fuel into the United States raises serious legal questions and could become the subject of litigation as well as congressional investigations,” stated a letter signed by Senators Chris Coons, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Sheldon Whitehouse. It was sent to the six largest U.S. financial institutions—JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley—as well as to the port authorities of Houston, Beaumont, and Corpus Christi in Texas, and the ports of New York and New Jersey.
On October 9, President Donald Trump announced an agreement with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, regarding the supply of diesel fuel to the U.S. and global markets. The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a general license authorizing transactions involving Russian diesel, including its import into the United States, through April 7, 2027.
The Russian government has partially lifted its ban on the export of this fuel. On October 23, the Kremlin reported that shipments under the agreements with Washington had begun and would continue. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak noted that Russia is prepared to supply the U.S. with any volume of diesel from its export-allocated stocks.
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