Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Plan to Buy Russian Diesel
Listen to the story
Six U.S. senators have called on the Trump administration to immediately reverse course on a plan to purchase diesel fuel from Russia. They say the deal sends the wrong message to allies.
President Trump has said the United States will buy diesel from Russia, a move that has already affected global markets. Following the announcement, oil prices fell by about $1.50 a barrel.
Asian shares showed a mixed reaction, with some markets rising and others falling as investors tried to understand the impact of the plan. Uncertainty about US-Russia relations is unsettling traders.
The diesel deal, reportedly made with Russian President Putin, has created tension within the Western alliance. Allies that have supported sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine are watching closely.
Critics argue that the plan undermines years of coordinated Western pressure on Moscow. The senators' letter urges the administration to reverse the decision before it causes lasting damage to alliance unity.
The situation highlights ongoing disagreement in Washington over how to handle relations with Russia while the war in Ukraine continues. It remains unclear how the administration will respond to the senators' demand.
Vocabulary10 words
- senator
- a member of the US government who makes laws
- diesel
- a fuel used mainly in trucks and heavy vehicles
- oil prices
- the cost of buying oil on world markets
- shares
- small parts of ownership in a company bought by investors
- Putin
- the president and leader of Russia
- alliance
- a close partnership between countries that support each other
- reverse course
- to stop a plan and go in the opposite direction
- sanctions
- penalties placed on a country to pressure its government
- wedge
- something that causes division between people or groups
- administration
- the officials currently running a country's government
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Reverse the plan to buy Russian diesel 2. They fell by about $1.50 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Six U.S. _____ have called on the Trump administration to immediately reverse course.
The plan is to purchase _____ fuel from Russia.
President Trump has said the United States will buy diesel from _____.
Following the announcement, oil _____ fell by about $1.50 a barrel.
Asian _____ showed a mixed reaction to the news.
The diesel deal was reportedly made with Russian President _____.
The plan has created tension within the Western _____.
Allies that support _____ against Russia are watching closely.
Critics argue the plan undermines coordinated Western _____ on Moscow.
The senators' letter urges the administration to _____ the decision.
Discussion questions
- Why might buying diesel from Russia upset US allies?
- Do you think economic deals should be separate from political conflicts? Why or why not?
- How might this diesel plan affect the war in Ukraine?
- What could the senators do if the administration ignores their request?
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