Trump temporarily suspends congressional sanctions against Russia in 'national interest'

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order this Friday that temporarily suspends the application of a broad package of sanctions against Russia, arguing, in response to the decision of Congress, that the measure responds to the national interest, according to the White House.

The decision affects a law named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, which seeks to toughen sanctions against the Russian economy and limit the flow of financial resources that contribute to sustaining the war against Ukraine.

Trump justified the exemption before Congress on the grounds that it responds to the "national interest" of the United States.

The head of state had promulgated this legislation on September 18, but has now temporarily exempted the application of several of its provisions.

In particular, the order exempts sanctions against individuals and entities linked to the Russian Government; the financial and commercial restrictions and tariffs planned for Russian products, and those from certain countries that purchase hydrocarbons from Russia.

The decision does not eliminate sanctions that the United States had already imposed on Russia through previous executive orders.

The exemptions from the new law will remain in effect until Trump or the secretary of state, in consultation with the secretary of the Treasury and the US trade representative, determine to adopt new measures.

The order also delegates to various Government departments the application of the provisions of the law that remain in force.

The decision comes after Washington temporarily authorized commercial operations with diesel of Russian origin until April 7, 2027, including its import into the United States, despite the sanctions in force against Moscow.

Trump announced on October 9 that he had agreed with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on the supply of diesel for international markets, with the aim of alleviating energy and fuel prices.

The Republican president stated that Russia would initially deliver more than 300,000 tons of fuel and would later supply additional quantities, conditioned in part on the state of its refineries.

The agreement has drawn criticism from lawmakers of both parties, who question its possible effects on economic pressure against Moscow and its compatibility with US law.

Critics warn that revenue from the sale of Russian fuel could help finance the war against Ukraine, while the Administration defends the need to contain energy costs.