‘Wrong move’: Grassley criticizes Trump lifting sanctions on Russian oil

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The Hill's Headlines — March 13, 2026

The Hill's Headlines — March 13, 2026

At least one Republican senator is criticizing the Trump administration’s moves to lift restrictions on Russian oil amid a gasoline price hike spurred by the conflict in Iran.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) wrote in a post on X that “Temporarily removing sanctions 4 Russian oil is [the] wrong move.”

He added that money from sales of Russian oil “fuels Putins war& prolongs suffering in Ukraine.”

His comments come in response to the Trump administration’s Thursday night move to temporarily lift some sanctions on Russian oil. Previously, the administration gave India permission to buy Russian barrels as the cost of oil rose after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

In recent years, sanctioning Russia after its invasion of Ukraine has had bipartisan support, with both the Trump and Biden administration imposing penalties. 

Another Republican lawmaker, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) also criticized the Trump administration’s latest move.

“This action helps financially prop up Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This sustains Russia’s invasion,” he wrote on X. 

The moves to lift sanctions are part of a larger suite of policies the Trump administration is taking in an attempt to tamp down soaring oil and gas prices.

Grassley, in his post, called on the government to instead take steps to support U.S.-grown biofuels.

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