(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim A-ram and Kim Seung-wook = U.S. President Donald Trump predicted that a decision would be beneficial to the world regarding sanctions against Russia.
According to foreign media outlets such as the Associated Press, President Trump told reporters at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida on the 17th (local time) about sanctions against Russia, saying, "Many of you still don't know what my decision is, but we will find the answer and you will know."
“This is a very good decision,” he said, adding, “I think it will be good for America and I think it will be good for the world because we are truly on the world stage.”
The Trump administration is renewing its efforts to mediate a peace deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
There are also reports in local media that the Trump administration is trying to open the way to stalled negotiations by using the easing of sanctions against Russia, such as the resumption of European natural gas imports from Russia, as a catalyst.
The New York Times previously reported that White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner discussed the possibility that Europe's purchase of Russian gas could be included in the peace agreement at a meeting with officials from Ukraine and major European countries held in Florida earlier this month.
The NYT reported that the European delegation attending the meeting was shocked by this plan brought up by the United States.
The media then pointed out, “It is a proposal that could overturn the U.S. energy policy that has been in place for several years,” adding, “It could be an economic boon for Moscow and at the same time revive Russia’s influence in Europe.”
Europe's resumption of imports of Russian energy is causing controversy because it could help Russia secure the financial resources needed to wage war against Ukraine.
The day before, President Trump decided to suspend the implementation of the so-called Graham Act, a sanctions law against Russia that included provisions such as imposing high tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy, citing national security as a justification.
First of all, this is widely interpreted as a measure in line with the plan to expand imports of Russian diesel.
If the Graham Act is implemented as originally planned, the supply of Russian diesel as envisioned by President Trump will not be realized.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Trump plans to review the contents of the Graham Act over the next 60 days.
“The president will use this 60-day period to analyze what impact imposing both sanctions and tariffs will have on the global and U.S. economies,” Rubio told reporters before boarding a plane to visit Uzbekistan.
Reuters pointed out that the Graham Act further complicates the problem by not only containing sanctions against Russia, but also stipulating tariffs on products from countries that import Russian energy.
For example, India, an important economic partner of the United States, is heavily dependent on Russian oil, and under the Graham Act, friction between the two countries may occur if the United States imposes tariffs on India.
The Trump administration is attempting to lower fuel prices in the United States by increasing the supply of Russian diesel ahead of the midterm elections in November.
Trump, ahead of the election, has been under great pressure as energy prices have soared due to disruptions in global oil supply due to the war with Iran that began in February of this year.
However, with regard to the move to loosen the reins on sanctions, not only the opposition Democratic Party but also the ruling Republican Party are criticizing it, saying it is an irresponsible act of giving in to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also criticized the U.S. decision to ease sanctions, saying it would embolden Russia and intensify the war.
