‘We’re enriching our adversary’: Adam Schiff blasts ‘terrible decision’ that funds Russia’s war machine and empowers those attacking US troops

Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is slamming the Trump administration’s recent decision to temporarily lift some sanctions on Russian oil, calling it a “terrible decision” that he believes will fund Russia’s war efforts and empower those attacking American troops, as reported by The Hill. This move comes as the administration looks to ease rising gas and oil prices, but critics are arguing it’s counterintuitive to efforts aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Schiff told NBC News’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press” that the U.S. is “essentially” handing Russia “$140 million a day.” This is especially concerning, he noted, because Moscow is “providing intelligence to Iran to better attack and kill American troops.”

The Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, earlier announced the temporary removal of sanctions. The focus is on Russian oil currently stranded at sea. Bessent explained that this lifting of sanctions is “narrowly tailored” and “will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government.” The Treasury Department has clarified that these exemptions will only be in place until mid-April. Kpler reports around 130 million barrels of Russian oil stuck at sea, and crude oil prices hovering around $100 per barrel.

Schiff, who has long been a critic of President Trump and his administration, firmly believes this policy change will ultimately benefit Moscow

Schiff emphatically stated, “It is rewarding Russia, and it is punishing Ukraine.” He also expressed frustration with President Trump for allegedly blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when criticized about lifting the sanctions. “No, Russia is the problem here,” Schiff continued, adding, “And we’re enriching our adversary, Russia, at Ukraine’s expense.”

It’s not just Democrats who are raising concerns about this move. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) also voiced his disapproval on social media last Friday, writing that “temporarily removing sanctions 4 Russian oil is [the] wrong move.” The Iowa senator went on to explain that money generated from Russian oil sales “fuels [Russian President Vladimir] Putins war& prolongs suffering in Ukraine.” It’s clear that this issue has sparked bipartisan concern.

These broad concerns about Russia’s potential aid to Tehran have intensified following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran late last month. Adding to the tension, Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed in a CNN interview that aired Sunday that Russia provided Iran with Shahed drones. These drones, he said, were later used in attacks on U.S. bases in the region.

The White House has been reached out to for comment on these developments.