Washington, D.C. March 23, 2026– Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Representative Don Bacon sent a bipartisan letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding answers on the Trump administration’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil.

The lawmakers warned that the move risks undercutting U.S. national security interests by enabling Russia to expand revenue streams used to sustain its war against Ukraine.

A PDF of the letter is here. An excerpt is below.

“…The United States’ existing sanctions targeting Russia’s energy exports have helped curtail the Kremlin’s ability to finance its illegal war of choice against Ukraine. Easing sanctions on Russia at this critical juncture, instead of increasing pressure, risks fueling Russia’s aggression and undermining progress we have made to reduce Russia’s global energy leverage…

“The issuing of these licenses and Russia’s subsequent financial gains come on the heels of Ukraine’s most significant territorial gains in years in their fight to reclaim their sovereign territory from occupying Russian forces. In other words, these licenses have provided Russia with an infusion of cash just when it needs it most to reverse Ukrainian progress, allowing it to take advantage of the global rise in energy costs to further fund its illegal war.

“Not only are these licenses helping fund Russian aggression against Ukraine, but they are doing so while Russia reportedly helps the Iranian regime target U.S. forces in the Middle East. On March 17, the Wall Street Journal further reported that Russian-Iranian cooperation continues to increase – with Russia providing modifications to Shahed drones developed from their own experiences using them against Ukraine and sharing satellite imagery to ‘prolong a war that is benefitting Russia militarily and economically.’”