Trump waives several Russia sanctions as row with Zelensky intensifies
Quick Look
President Donald Trump used executive authority to block sanctions on Russia just before they were to take effect, citing national interest, as tensions with Ukraine's President Zelensky intensified over a disputed US-Russia diesel deal and accusations of withdrawn military support.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The sanctions were passed by the US Congress and signed into law by Trump in September, targeting Russia's economy and senior figures including Putin, as well as financial institutions and Russia's 'shadow fleet' used to evade embargoes.
Donald Trump has used his presidential authority to block numerous sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, as a row with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky deepens.
The sanctions were passed by the US Congress and signed into law by Trump in September.
But the US president issued an executive order on Friday night saying that withholding some was in the US "national interest", prompting a backlash from US lawmakers.
It comes as tensions between Washington and Kyiv fray again - culminating in accusations of the Trump administration withdrawing key military support - over a controversial deal to import diesel struck by the US with Russia last week.
Trump and Zelensky have exchanged sharp words about one another throughout the week. Ukraine's president barbed that it was nice to be among "real leaders" while addressing an EU summit, after Trump said he was "more difficult to deal with" than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The new US sanctions law took aim at Russia's economy, giving Trump broad powers to levy tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas – most significantly China and India.
It also included sanctions against senior Russian figures, including Putin, as well as Russian financial institutions and Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet" of vessels used to circumvent existing embargoes.
Many of these provisions have now been waived by Trump.
Democrats such as the Virginia Congressman Don Beyer have already criticised Trump's sanctions move, accusing him of capitulating to Moscow and turning his back on Kyiv and Zelensky.
"Trump's latest surrender to Putin again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression," Beyer wrote on X.
The move is also likely to draw criticism from Ukraine, where Zelensky has long stressed the need for tighter international sanctions to limit funding Russia can use in its war effort.
Trump initially drew criticism from Zelensky and Ukraine's European allies for temporarily suspending some US sanctions to import Russian diesel as a latest effort to bring down US energy prices, which have skyrocketed during the Iran war.
Trump has spent months grappling with the political consequences of the Middle East conflict - which has sent fuel costs, in particular diesel, soaring - ahead of the US midterm elections. Rising inflation has soured Trump's standing with the American public.
Zelensky suggested the deal was tantamount to the US investing in Russia's war effort.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Congress will introduce legislation to challenge or override Trump's executive order blocking the sanctions.
Likely · Within weeks
Ukraine will seek increased diplomatic and military support from European allies in response to the waiver of US sanctions on Russia.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Which specific sanctions were waived by Trump's executive order?
- What is the exact legal basis for Trump's claim of 'national interest' in withholding the sanctions?
- How will Ukraine respond to the waiver of sanctions on Russia?
- Will Congress attempt to override or challenge Trump's executive order?
