Ted Cruz Torches Trump Waiving Russia Sanctions as a ‘Mistake’ That ‘Benefits Putin’

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) blasted President Donald Trump waiving sanctions against Russia as a “mistake” that only benefits Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Cruz, alongside Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), joined Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie on Saturday and the interview wrapped with Cruz being asked about Trump’s executive order waiving sanctions set to hit Russia in just a couple days. That news followed Trump announcing a controversial diesel deal with the country, all while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues.

“You were very critical of President [Joe] Biden when he waived the sanctions on Nordstream 2. So where are you at with the president now today waiving the sanctions against President Putin?” Hasnie asked Cruz.

Cruz argued for more domestic energy production and pitched alternatives to Trump’s plan, which he called a “mistake” that gives Putin billions to work against American interests.

Cruz argued:

I wish the president hadn’t done it. I think it was a mistake. I think the president understandably is focused on diesel prices, is focused on gasoline prices, as he should be focused on.

Now it’s worth noting gasoline prices are a dollar a gallon less than they were under Joe Biden. As I said, people are hurting, people are feeling real pain, but there are other ways to address gas and diesel prices.

Two that would make sense: number one, we could import more diesel from Canada and I think that makes a lot more sense. Canada is a friend.

I would like to see this trade war end and end now. Importing it from Canada doesn’t result in giving an enemy of America billions of dollars that they use against us and our interest.

Secondly, something up suggested to the president, right now renewable fuel standard, which adds about 30 cents a gallon diesel. What I’ve advised to do is to waive that for what is called red dye diesel.

Red dye is used by farmers, it’s used by ranchers, it’s used in agricultural rural settings.

With the stroke of a pen the president could take 30 cents a gallon off the cost of diesel. That’s a much better option than the current path. The current path unfortunately  just benefits Putin and is not a good idea.

Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) both also blasted Trump’s blocking of the sanctions, which had been championed by and named after the late senator Lindsey Graham.

Watch above via Fox News.

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