Leading lawmakers condemned a “180-degree reversal” on Kremlin sanctions, arguing that the move emboldens Vladimir Putin following Russia’s largest aerial attack on Ukraine this year.
by Kyiv Post
April 18, 2026
Leading US Senate Democrats issued a joint statement on Saturday, April 18, condemning US President Donald Trump’s administration for its decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil, The Guardian reported.
The statement, signed by Senators Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, and Jeanne Shaheen, described the administration’s policy shift as “shameful.” The lawmakers highlighted the timing of the move, noting that it follows Russia’s largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine in 2025, which killed 18 people. “What kind of message does this move send?” the senators asked, accusing the president of allowing Russian President Vlaimir Putin to “play him for a fool.”
The criticism centers on a month-long sanctions waiver issued by the US Treasury Department late on Friday. The license allows for the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products already at sea through May 16. This move was a reversal from earlier statements by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had indicated just days prior that the waiver would not be renewed.
Democratic lawmakers argued that Putin has become one of the primary beneficiaries of Trump’s war against Iran, with Russia’s oil revenues nearly doubling in March. Senator Richard Blumenthal previously asserted that such waivers have already provided Moscow with an additional $150 billion to fuel its “murderous war machine.”
The diplomatic rift comes as Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, warned that any easing of sanctions is a “manifestation of weakness.” The senators also raised concerns over a similar waiver for Iranian oil set to expire on April 19, 2026, emphasizing that Moscow continues to provide Tehran with intelligence used to target US troops.
As the administration continues to navigate the global fuel crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict, the Senate’s leading Democrats are demanding the immediate imposition of additional sanctions to hold the Kremlin accountable.