U.S. Energy Secretary calls Russia sanctions waiver a "carrot solution to end war"

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized on the 18th (local time) that exempting countries purchasing Russian energy from sanctions, such as imposing high tariffs, is "a carrot presented to end the war."

Secretary Wright appeared on ABC that day and argued that President Donald Trump's exemption was not an "economic lifeline" for Russia.

On the 17th, President Trump announced that he would exercise his authority to waive sanctions, restrictions, and tariffs stipulated in the Lindsey Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act, which he signed a month ago.

The key to this law, named after the late former U.S. Senator Graham (Republican, South Carolina), is to impose tariffs of up to 100% on all products entering the United States from the top five importing countries of Russian crude oil and natural gas. Just before this law went into effect, President Trump exempted many of the sanctions provisions.

“This is an incentive to Russia: if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, if they can get a ceasefire in the energy sector or if they can reduce the conflict so they can get diesel fuel to export, then they will allow it to flow into the global market,” Wright said.

“The only way Russia can benefit from this is by exporting diesel fuel,” he said, adding, “This can only be achieved through a peace agreement with Ukraine, a ceasefire in the energy sector or steps towards peace.”

Senator Darlene Graham, former Senator Graham's younger sister and a Republican candidate for the midterm elections to succeed him, opposed President Trump's actions the day before, saying, "I will choose to maintain pressure on Russia to end the war and lower gasoline prices."