Trump Waives New Russia Sanctions Weeks After Signing Law

Washington (GNP): United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday waiving new sanctions and tariffs aimed at Russia. The move comes only weeks after he approved legislation meant to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.

The order suspends measures introduced under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which Trump signed into law on September 18. That law authorised tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. It also allowed restrictions on Russian officials, financial institutions and energy operations.

Trump used presidential waiver powers to suspend these measures, stating that doing so served US national interests. The order also provides for monitoring Russian energy purchases and activities involving sanctions evasion. Sanctions imposed under separate presidential authorities are not affected and remain in place.

The decision follows an agreement between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that allows Russian diesel exports under sanctions relief. The arrangement was meant to ease pressure on international fuel markets at a time of elevated energy prices.

That deal has drawn criticism from several American lawmakers. They argue that additional Russian energy revenues could help fund Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.

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The reaction has not stopped at Capitol Hill. The decision has further strained relations between Washington and Kyiv, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised the sanctions relief. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, have continued to target Russian oil infrastructure.

The waived measures had also been intended to raise pressure on countries that buy Russian energy, including major Asian importers. The order gives the administration room to revisit the waivers if circumstances change.

The step shows how Washington is balancing two competing priorities, keeping energy prices under control and maintaining economic pressure on Russia while the war in Ukraine continues.