WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil:

“Trump’s war of choice with Iran has come with immeasurable cost to American lives – with 13 servicemembers killed and hundreds more injured – and passed enormous costs on to working families. Critically, the Trump administration failed to anticipate or plan for many of the inevitable consequences of this attack – including the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has cut off 20% of the world's oil and gas supply. Over the past two weeks, gas prices have skyrocketed more than 60 cents a gallon, spiking prices at the pump and increasing costs for flights, groceries, and more.

“Trump’s decision to pause sanctions on Russian oil will barely make a dent in skyrocketing gas prices, but will enrich Putin as he wages his bloody war against Ukraine. Particularly given Russia’s close relationship with Iran, this short-sighted giveaway to Putin strengthens our adversaries, undercuts Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and leaves American families footing the bill with higher prices.”

###