Congress members threaten probes over Russian diesel shipments headed for US ports

• Bipartisan lawmakers warn banks and ports over Russian diesel imports
• They say imports may violate a 2022 US ban on Russian energy
• Letters sent to six major banks and four port authorities
• Tankers could reach Texas and New York by the end of October

A BIPARTISAN group of US lawmakers has warned major banks, port authorities and fuel distributors that handling Russian diesel imports could expose them to legal action and congressional investigations.

In letters to the heads of the companies, the lawmakers said businesses facilitating imports in violation of US law could face criminal and civil liability.

The warning comes amid reports that shipments of Russian diesel are heading for the United States after President Donald Trump granted a waiver earlier this month allowing Russia to supply diesel to global markets, including the US.

The 2022 ban

The lawmakers cited the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022, which generally bans imports of Russian energy products, including diesel. Such imports are allowed only after the president certifies to Congress that Russia has ended all military hostilities in Ukraine and poses no immediate threat to NATO members.

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“Granting Moscow the ability to freely sell Russian diesel in global markets damages America’s security interests and is a betrayal of the people of Ukraine, who are defending themselves against Russia’s murderous, illegal war,” the lawmakers wrote.

They urged recipients not to facilitate the purchase, transport, financing or distribution of Russian diesel “unless and until the relevant statutory requirements have been satisfied,” and demanded that they preserve all related records.

Who received the letters

The letters went to the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and to the heads of the ports of Houston, Corpus Christi and Beaumont in Texas, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

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Citing public reports and vessel-tracking data, the lawmakers said ships carrying Russian diesel could reach Beaumont and the Port of New York and New Jersey as early as the end of October.

Who signed

The signatories include Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Ron Wyden, Sheldon Whitehouse, Chris Coons and Elizabeth Warren, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, and Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York.

Trump announced earlier this month that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, with millions more tons to follow, as he sought to bring down fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterms.

(With inputs from agencies)