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Trump waives several Russia sanctions as new US law takes effect

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US President Donald Trump used executive authority to block sanctions on Russia recently passed by Congress, citing national interests.
The move came days after Trump announced plans to import Russian diesel to lower energy prices ahead of the November midterms.
The sanctions law, named after late Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia's economy, includes measures against Putin and Russian institutions, and was set to take effect on October 18.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Congress passed a sanctions law targeting Russia's economy in response to its war on Ukraine, naming it after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Ukraine supporter. The law gives the president power to impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas and includes sanctions on Putin, Russian officials, banks, and sanction-evading tankers. Trump signed the bill into law in September but later used executive authority to block some sanctions.

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US President Donald Trump has used his presidential authority to block numerous sanctions on Russia that were recently passed by the US Congress in an effort to punish the country for its war on Ukraine.

In an executive order on Friday night, Trump said that it is in the US "national interests" to withhold some of the sanctions. Trump signed the sanctions bill into law in September, and it was due to take effect on Sunday.

It comes days after Trump said the US would import Russian diesel in an effort to bring down US energy prices before the midterm elections in November, which will decide which party controls Congress.

The plan shocked lawmakers, and has triggered a bipartisan backlash.

The US sanctions law is named for the late Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was one of Ukraine's staunchest defenders in Washington before his death on 11 July.

The law took aim at Russian's economy, and gave Trump broad powers to levy tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas – most significantly China and India.

Additionally, the law includes sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior figures within the Russian government as well as banks and other financial institutions and Russia's "shadow fleet" of tankers used to circumvent existing sanctions.

On Thursday, a bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers issued a letter calling on Trump to respect the new law, which is due to take effect on 18 October.

The lawmakers thanked Trump for signing the sanctions bill, and urged his "full and faithful implementation" of the law.

The lawmakers said it would be "decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously" and called on the Trump administration "to apply the Graham law's sanctions to their fullest extent and without delay".

Last week, Trump announced that he had held a phone call with Putin, and had agreed to purchase diesel from Moscow.

US allies criticised the move, anxious that it could help Russia in its war effort.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin that amounts to "an investment in a war that must be ended".

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Congress may attempt to override Trump's executive order blocking sanctions through legislative action.
Likely · Within weeks
Legal challenges may arise regarding the constitutionality of Trump's use of executive authority to block congressionally passed sanctions.
Possible · Within months

Open Questions

Which specific sanctions did Trump block via executive order?
What is the exact legal basis for Trump's authority to block congressionally passed sanctions?
How will the blocked sanctions affect the enforcement of the Graham law?
What are the potential consequences for US-Russia relations and the war in Ukraine?

Trump waives several Russia sanctions as new US law takes effect

Quick Look

US President Donald Trump used executive authority to block sanctions on Russia recently passed by Congress, citing national interests.
The move came days after Trump announced plans to import Russian diesel to lower energy prices ahead of the November midterms.
The sanctions law, named after late Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia's economy, includes measures against Putin and Russian institutions, and was set to take effect on October 18.