US President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending the application of a wide range of sanctions, restrictions and customs duties on Russia, two days before they were scheduled to take effect on Sunday, justifying his decision as being in the national interest of the United States.
The US Congress approved these measures in a law signed by Trump on September 18, with the aim of increasing economic pressure on Moscow due to its war in Ukraine.
Trump said in the executive order issued on Friday evening: “I have provided Congress with certification that issuing this exemption at this time is in the national interest of the United States.”
The law allows the US President to suspend the implementation of some of its provisions if he deems that doing so serves the national interests, provided that he provides Congress with justification for his decision.
The decision sparked angry reactions among American lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties, amid accusations that Trump was caving in to Moscow and abandoning Ukraine.
The decision comes at a time when signs of rapprochement between Trump and Russia are increasing, coinciding with the escalation of his differences with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, against the backdrop of restrictions imposed on the satellite communications network on which Ukrainian forces rely, and the controversial agreement concluded by Washington to import Russian diesel with the aim of reducing energy prices.
Trump had previously said that dealing with Zelensky was "more difficult than dealing" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, considering that Ukraine needed a new president.
The law, called the “Lindsey Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026,” aims to tighten economic pressure on Moscow.
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The late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham represented South Carolina and was one of Ukraine's most prominent defenders in Washington, before his death on July 11.
The law stipulates the imposition of customs duties of up to 100 percent on all goods imported into the United States from the five countries that purchase the most Russian oil and gas, led by China and India.
The measures also include countries that continue to purchase Russian oil or gas 30 days after the law was passed, as well as the five countries that most help Russia in circumventing the sanctions imposed on it.
The law also targets Putin and senior officials in the Russian government, as well as banks, financial institutions, and oil tankers belonging to the so-called Russian “shadow fleet,” which Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions.
Countries, including India, one of the largest importers of Russian oil, have expressed concerns about the repercussions of the law.
Under the new executive order, the suspension of sanctions and fees will remain in effect until Trump or senior officials in his administration decide to reconsider it. The decision does not include previous US sanctions imposed on Russia under other executive orders.
On Thursday, 20 American lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties sent a letter to Trump, asking him to commit to implementing the new law.
The lawmakers thanked Trump for signing the law and urged him to implement it “fully and faithfully,” considering that this would be “decisive in forcing Putin to take the peace talks seriously.”
They also called on the US administration to "implement the sanctions stipulated in the Graham Act to the maximum extent possible and without delay."
A number of Democrats criticized Trump's decision to suspend sanctions, including Virginia House of Representatives member Don Beyer, who accused the US President of caving in to Moscow and abandoning Kiev and Zelensky.
“Trump’s recent capitulation to Putin represents a new betrayal of our Ukrainian partners, and a defiance of the clear will of Congress expressed in legislation aimed at punishing Russia for its unlawful war of aggression,” Beyer wrote on the X platform.
Trump announced on October 9 that he had made a phone call with Putin, during which he agreed to buy Russian diesel.
Since the outbreak of war with Iran last February, fuel prices in the United States have risen sharply, especially diesel, which has increased the financial burden on Americans who are already suffering from high costs of living.
Trump hopes to lower fuel prices before the midterm congressional elections scheduled for next month.
But the agreement with Moscow sparked criticism from US allies, amid fears that its revenues would contribute to financing the Russian war effort.
Hundreds of soldiers from Britain, France and Germany, which are among the most prominent European countries supporting Ukraine, are scheduled to participate in large-scale military exercises in Poland next month.
British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said the maneuvers aim to "ensure our readiness to support the military training and post-war reconstruction that Ukraine will need."
Zelensky described the Russian diesel purchase agreement as a gift to Putin, considering it an "investment in a war that must be ended."
On October 11, Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire,” confirming that it would enter into effect “immediately,” without providing details.
Zelensky expressed his surprise at the announcement, but expressed Kiev's readiness to stop its strikes if Moscow adhered to the same order.
However, Russia denied reaching any such agreement and continued its attacks, prompting Ukraine to resume its strikes three days later.
Zelensky responded by saying that he was "only defending Ukraine's interests."
On Friday, Zelensky described the slowdown in service as a "very serious and disturbing surprise," noting that connection speeds via Starlink have not yet fully returned to normal levels.
The Trump administration had previously threatened to stop exchanging intelligence information with Kiev, which is essential for Ukrainian defenses, if it did not stop targeting Russian oil refineries.
