Lawmakers From Both Parties Challenge Trump Over Russian Diesel Waiver and Ukraine Satellite Access

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is stepping up its defense of Ukraine, pushing back against President Donald Trump's decision to ease limits on Russian energy imports and demanding assurances that Kyiv will keep access to vital American military and intelligence support. Through bills, congressional inquiries and direct appeals to the administration, members of both parties have warned that steps benefiting Moscow or hampering Ukraine's battlefield capabilities could harm US national security, weaken Congress and prolong the war.

The backlash follows a Treasury Department waiver issued on October 9 that authorized transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, including imports into the United States. It also comes amid reports that Ukraine's use of SpaceX's Starlink and the military-grade Starshield satellite communications systems had been restricted. Ukrainian officials say the disruptions affected military operations, though they reported on October 24 that satellite connection speeds had been restored. Who imposed the restrictions remains unclear.

A Ukrainian official familiar with the matter told RFE/RL that SpaceX had not responded to Kyiv about the earlier limits. Kyiv has been in contact with the US government, the official said, but "no one has explained what happened or what will happen next."

On the energy front, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, has introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026. His co-sponsors are Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The bill would cancel the October 9 waiver, which is set to expire on April 7, 2027, and bar any future waivers for Russian energy imports. It would also require intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense and to notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any interruption. The measure has been sent to three House committees.

Trump has defended the arrangement as a way to expand global diesel supplies and lower prices. Announcing it after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said Russia had agreed to immediately provide more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets, with more to follow. Diesel prices have climbed sharply amid energy supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

The bill's sponsors say the waiver undercuts a 2022 federal ban on Russian oil imports. "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil," Fitzpatrick said. Bacon told RFE/RL that "Congress must be a check to the president's egregious appeasement to Putin," and accused Trump of reversing his own past criticism of Europe for buying Russian energy. Gluesenkamp Perez said that if Trump wants lower gasoline prices, he should work to end the war in Iran rather than steer American money toward Russia.

On satellite access, eight lawmakers from both parties, including Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick and Mike Quigley and Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis and Elissa Slotkin, urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon's Starshield contract and guarantee uninterrupted service. They asked for restored speeds, adequate coverage for Ukraine's lawful military operations, including over Russian territory, and a smooth shift from commercial Starlink to government-contracted Starshield. They also suggested using the Defense Production Act, writing that service decisions "should not be left solely to the discretion of a private provider."

Ukrainian reports say restrictions introduced on October 13 disrupted communications for drones and other platforms moving faster than 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), hindering the guidance of defensive drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the limits stayed in place despite Trump's claim that service had been restored after contact with Musk.

Several Democrats are seeking answers. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch led six lawmakers in questioning Musk's claim that the military and the president decided on the restrictions, citing reports that Musk himself proposed them. Senator Richard Blumenthal has demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna and Jimmy Panetta have asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied that Trump or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions. Tillis wrote on X that whoever is handing Putin "the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine" should "have the guts to put their name on it."