ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Much has been happening in the relationship between the U.S. and Russia in recent times, and concerns have been raised throughout the U.S.
Sen. Jerry Moran has been among those to voice concerns, most recently about diesel fuel imports announced last Friday.
“Sanctions on Russian fuel exports have, for the last several years, deprived funding for Putin’s unjust war in Ukraine and provided leverage to help end it,” a statement from Moran’s office noted. “We should be tightening sanctions further, not undercutting them by allowing the import of Russian diesel and risking erasing our leverage, damaging our credibility with allies, and emboldening our adversaries.”
Moran’s statement comes after he joined colleagues in a letter raising concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to the upcoming G20 Summit. The letter cited Russia’s continued attacks against Ukrainian civilians and targeting of Americans in Ukraine and around the world. The senators’ letter also urged Putin and other sanctioned Russian officials not be permitted to participate in G20 events or similar international forums held in the United States.
“President Putin bears sole responsibility for launching Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Allowing him to participate in a G20 Summit in the United States raises serious concerns about legitimizing and normalizing a government that continues to attack Ukrainian civilian targets every day,” the senators’ letter noted. “This invitation also comes at a time when Russia’s intentions are unambiguously clear. Numerous public reports have indicated that Russia is helping Iran’s military target American service members in the Middle East. Russia has also increased its hybrid warfare activities throughout Europe in recent months while simultaneously conducting deadly aerial attacks against Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure. President Putin and Anton Siluanov, in addition to others traveling as part of the respective delegations for G20 meetings, are sanctioned under Executive Order 14024 for engaging in conduct deemed to be harmful to U.S. national security. It is troubling that, despite being sanctioned, these individuals have been given access to participate in G20 forums hosted in the United States. The G20 is intended to foster international cooperation on critical issues including finance, trade and global economic stability. As Russia continues its war against Ukraine and refuses to agree to a just and lasting peace agreement, its government should not be afforded a business-as-usual treatment alongside other nations at G20 events.”
The letter strongly urged sanctions and other boundaries.
“The United States must put strong economic and political pressure on President Putin in order to force him to the negotiating table for serious peace talks. We commend your signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which gives you additional tools to hold the Putin regime accountable,” the senators’ letter noted. “However, if President Putin and his government are not isolated on the international stage, what incentive does Russia have to agree to a ceasefire? As the United States holds the G20 presidency for the remainder of the calendar year, we urge you to reverse course and rescind the invitation to President Putin and ensure that other sanctioned Russian officials, who bear responsibility for Russia’s war against Ukraine, are not permitted to participate in upcoming G20 engagements, including the Trade Ministerial, Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and Leaders’ Summit, until Russia agrees to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
