Several members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced legislation aimed at revoking licenses allowing Russian diesel fuel to be supplied to global markets, in a move to tighten restrictions on Russia’s energy sector.
Gregory Meeks, the senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee representing New York, published the bill’s text on October 16. The proposal seeks to revoke a general license issued by the U.S. Treasury Department on October 9, which exempts Russian diesel supplies from U.S. sanctions until April 7, 2027.
Bill Seeks Three-Year Ban on New Licenses
The legislation would revoke other licenses associated with easing restrictions on Russian energy sources and prohibit the Treasury Department from issuing new licenses of this kind for three years.
It would also bar the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation from participating in agreements involving Russian energy resources and calls on the administration to take steps to enforce and strengthen sanctions against Moscow.
According to the bill’s text, the proposal has the support of 18 House members, including Meeks and 17 others. The group comprises 16 Democrats and one Republican, in addition to Meeks.
US-Russia Agreement on Diesel Supplies
The legislative move follows an agreement announced on October 9 between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump concerning Russian diesel supplies to global markets.
Putin had said Russia was prepared to supply oil and petroleum products to U.S. and international markets. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak later said Moscow had begun lifting restrictions on diesel exports ahead of schedule.
According to Novak, Russia plans to supply 300,000 metric tons of diesel in October, 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons in December. He added that volumes could increase in the future to as much as 3 million tons per month.
The bill remains a legislative proposal. If enacted, it would seek to revoke licenses permitting Russian supplies to continue and tighten U.S. restrictions on Russia’s energy sector.
