Story perspectives

Collins Joins Senators Opposing Trump’s Russian Diesel Imports

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 4:20 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Potential War Funding

On October 7, 2026, Senator Susan Collins and other senators signed a letter opposing President Donald Trump’s import of Russian diesel into United States.
The letter warned plan breaches the 2022 congressional ban on Russian imports and could fund Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
The Treasury issued a license at Donald Trump’s direction to import Russian diesel.
A poll (2026) showed Troy Jackson leading Susan Collins 50%-46% in Maine.

Left

War Profiteering Accusations

Senator Susan Collins and five other senators signed a letter on October 7, 2026 opposing President Donald Trump’s plan to import Russian diesel.
Critics argue Collins’s backing of the imports fuels profiteering from wars, with Senator Troy Jackson accusing her of profiting from the Iran conflict.
Collins called the charge outrageous, cited $1.5 billion for 672 Maine projects, and faced Senator Jon Ossoff’s claim that her tariff stance has crushed Georgia families.

Blindspot

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a license, at President Trump’s direction, allowing Russian diesel imports, and Trump said Russia would supply over 300,000 tons immediately and up to four million tons later.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

After Obama barred Russian crude and diesel in 2014—OFAC froze $1.5 billion and the EU stopped 300,000 tons—the 2022 invasion triggered broader bans from the U.S., Canada and the EU. The 2026 Graham Sanctioning Russia Act added a 500% tariff on Russian imports. On Oct. 7, 2026, Sen. Susan Collins and five GOP colleagues warned Trump’s proposed license to revive oil imports could fund Putin’s war.

1 of 4

Potential War Funding

On October 7, 2026, Senator Susan Collins and other senators signed a letter opposing President Donald Trump’s import of Russian diesel into United States.
The letter warned plan breaches the 2022 congressional ban on Russian imports and could fund Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
The Treasury issued a license at Donald Trump’s direction to import Russian diesel.
A poll (2026) showed Troy Jackson leading Susan Collins 50%-46% in Maine.

1 / 4