US senators say Trump-Russia diesel deal is illegal

What happened: Trump announced an agreement with Putin to release a large quantity of diesel in exchange for temporarily easing US sanctions. US senators say the deal is illegal, citing a 2022 congressional ban on Russian energy imports. Key numbers: Congress banned Russian energy imports in 2022. Why it matters: The deal drew backlash from Ukraine, the EU and US lawmakers, who urged the administration to reverse course. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended it, saying legal authorities would be used. Coverage: 15+ outlets in 24h

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