Dear Editor:
“Rozliuchenyi” is a word in the Ukrainian language meaning “very irritated” or “seething with rage or anger.
‘Rozliuchenyi’ describes how Ukrainians are feeling since the Trump administration announced a decision to allow Russia to sell millions of tons of diesel fuel to American and global markets, and to issue a sanctions waiver license to make it happen.
Every ton of diesel Russia sells funds the war machine that bombs Ukrainian cities, homes, schools, and hospitals every night.
Polls consistently show that an overwhelming majority of Americans support strengthening sanctions against Moscow. Enabling Russia to export oil makes a mockery of American values, American interests, and the clearly expressed will of the American public.
Sanctions relief given without any Russian concession on a ceasefire sends the wrong signal to Moscow and to every ally watching how America keeps its commitments.
The diesel deal is also illegal. The Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act (Public Law 117-109) bans Russian energy imports until Russia withdraws its invasion force and ceases hostilities on terms acceptable to Ukraine, followed by a 90-day congressional review. The accompanying sanctions waiver defies the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, passed only weeks ago.
Congress cannot stand by while its laws are disregarded and Putin is rewarded for aggression. Contact your senators and representative and demand that they publicly oppose this deal, insist on the withdrawal of the sanctions waiver, enforce the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, and reject any pressure on Ukraine to accept a unilateral halt to refinery strikes. America must stand with those defending freedom, not those destroying it.
Neonila Martyniuk
Montrose, Colo.
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