U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to waive new sanctions against Russia. He cited national interest as the reason for this decision. The sanctions were part of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. This act aimed to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries importing Russian oil and gas. The sanctions were set to take effect on October 18, just days after Trump signed the legislation into law last month.
Key Details
The decision has faced strong criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He warned that lifting sanctions would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and worsen the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy called the rollback of sanctions a "reward" for Russia. He stated that it would provide financial support to Moscow's military efforts. He urged for continued international pressure on Russia to end the conflict.
Trump's move comes as energy prices rise. The U.S. is looking to lower costs for consumers. Earlier this month, Trump announced a deal to buy diesel from Russia. He claimed this would help stabilize global energy prices. This has raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers and allies about the impact on Ukraine and the West's response to Russian aggression.
Background
The executive order has been welcomed by Russian officials. Presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev called it a "historic moment." He said it could prevent a halt in U.S.-Russia economic cooperation. The sanctions package was designed to target Russian officials, banks, and military assets. It also aimed to restrict financial resources that support the war against Ukraine.
Trump's decision to waive sanctions could lead to increased imports of Russian oil by countries like India and China. This may affect global oil prices. The move might also ease trade talks between the U.S. and India, which relies heavily on Russian oil imports. Watch for responses from European leaders and further developments in U.S.-Russia relations as the situation unfolds.
Based on reporting by: aljazeera.com, fortune.com