United States lawmakers have warned major Wall Street banks and port directors that importing Russian diesel into the country remains strictly illegal under federal sanctions.
The warning came in formal letters signed by six senators, including Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and one Democratic representative. The letters were delivered directly to the chief executives of JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, as well as port authorities overseeing three facilities in Texas and the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Lawmakers told the executives that any commercial handling of Russian fuel would trigger judicial action and congressional investigations. The pushback follows an agreement struck in early October between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply substantial volumes of Russian diesel to American and international buyers, with the first loaded tanker reported en route to New York on Friday.
Legal requirements for sanctions relief
Under current United States law, all petroleum imports from Russia are prohibited until the White House provides formal certification to Congress regarding Moscow's conduct, according to the lawmakers. The president must certify that Russia has ended all military hostilities in Ukraine, that it no longer presents an immediate military threat to NATO members, and that it recognizes the right of Ukrainians to choose their government.
The law also prohibits any sanctions waiver that significantly alters United States foreign policy toward Russia before Congress reviews the waiver, the senators emphasized, adding that the administration has not fulfilled this condition. In this context, the lawmakers warned that any import of Russian diesel into the United States raises significant legal questions and could trigger legal action as well as congressional investigations.
The United States and allied nations imposed strict trade restrictions on Russian petroleum following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine to restrict funding for Moscow's military. Major financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America handle trade finance, credit clearance and settlement payments for international shipping, while coastal terminals in Texas and New York process incoming fuel tankers. Both sectors face severe legal penalties and regulatory scrutiny if they facilitate transactions involving prohibited energy products without statutory authorization.
Opposition to the Moscow diesel deal
The lawmakers argued that granting Moscow the ability to freely sell Russian diesel on global markets harms American security interests and represents a betrayal of the Ukrainian people, who are defending themselves against Russia's illegal and deadly war.
With the first tanker already sailing toward New York Harbor, the lawmakers cautioned that any company participating in the transactions could face immediate congressional scrutiny. They warned that corporate leaders must review their legal exposure before offloading or financing any incoming shipments.
