However, there had already been headwinds against Trump’s course towards Ukraine. At the beginning of October there was a telephone conversation between the president and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin began: Trump then announced that Russia would make 300,000 tons of diesel available to the USA and the global market. In addition, further deliveries in larger quantities are planned afterwards.
The unexpected news provoked criticism in Congress, especially because imports of Russian diesel were banned at the time. In 2022, after the start of the Russian full-scale invasion, Congress largely criminalized such imports.
Zelenskyj complains about delayed arms deliveries
Several senators had also pointed this out: “President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports into the USA is in direct contradiction to this law,” it said in a public statement. It was signed not only by Thom Tillis, but also by Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis and Democrat Ron Wyden.
However, as a result of his diesel deal, Trump suspended the corresponding ban on the fuel. But it didn’t stop there: Ukraine recently complained that that the services of the US company SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service for the military had been interrupted.
On Monday, the Washington Post also reported that the US Department of Defense had not approved arms deliveries that were intended for Ukraine. Specifically, this is about Patriot anti-aircraft missiles. Also the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had criticized on Monday that the delivery was being delayed even though it had already been paid for.
“Know what will happen”
The Ukrainian president spoke via video link with US politicians from the Senate and House of Representatives on Monday. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal subsequently released a joint statement with Thom Tillis. “Democrats and Republicans in Congress know what will happen if Putin goes unpunished for his murderous invasion,” the statement said.
But does Trump have to fear further consequences because of the criticism? The Republican Brian Fitzpatrick announced investigations into how it contributed to the restrictions for Ukraine Starlink came: “This includes public congressional hearings as well as immediate, harsh and punitive budget cuts for all responsible agencies and agency heads,” Fitzpatrick wrote on Platform X on Sunday.
Don Bacon was clearer: “Does the administration think it will receive any support in the remainder of the 119th Congress? Its agenda has failed if it does not change course,” Bacon wrote on X last week.
