Congressmen Warn Nine Banks and Four Ports on Facilitating Diesel Imports from Russia

[ABS News Service/28.10.2026]

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is warning major banks, port authorities and fuel distributors that facilitating Russian diesel imports under President Trump’s agreement with Moscow could expose them to legal action and Congressional investigations.

The lawmakers sent letters to JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and port authorities in Houston, Corpus Christi, Beaumont and New York/New Jersey.

The warning extends the dispute over Mr. Trump’s diesel agreement to the companies needed to finance and handle shipments. The Treasury Department has expressly authorized Russian diesel transactions, including US imports, through April 7, 2027.

The lawmakers contend that the authorization fails to satisfy separate statutory restrictions and congressional review requirements. The legislators urged recipients to refrain from facilitating transactions and demanded preservation of contracts, shipping and payment records, and related communications, including business communications on personal devices. They requested written confirmation by October 28, together with disclosure of involvement in or knowledge of proposed or actual US imports.

The underlying prohibition is the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, enacted April 8, 2022.

Section 2 bans Russian-origin energy products classified under chapter 27 of the US tariff schedule.

Section 3 permits termination only after specified presidential findings, advance consultation with Congressional committees and a 90-day review period. Those findings include a Russian agreement, accepted by Ukraine’s free and independent government, to withdraw forces and cease hostilities; the absence of an immediate Russian military threat to NATO members; and recognition of Ukrainians’ right to choose their government.

Treasury’s one-page license authorizes transactions under two sanctions regulations but does not explain how that authorization satisfies the separate import statute.

The liability question reaches beyond the importer of record. Federal law criminalizes knowingly importing merchandise contrary to law and certain subsequent dealings undertaken with knowledge of the unlawful importation. Customs law also provides for penalties against persons who financially or otherwise assist unlawful importation. Whether those provisions apply would depend on the transaction’s legality and the applicable statutory elements.

The letters, released Monday, were led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking Democrat Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and signed by five other senators, including Republican Thom Tillis (NC) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY).