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Trump waives several Russia sanctions as new US law takes effect
· Confirmed
In Short: On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving several sanctions against Russia, a move that contradicts the bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers who called on him to respect the new sanctions law.
The BBC (United Kingdom) reported that Trump cited national interests as the reason for waiving the sanctions, while the Kyiv Post (Ukraine) noted that Trump's decision has soured relations with Kyiv.
According to the Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Trump's reversal on sanctions comes after a controversial deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel exports in exchange for sanctions relief.
Turkiyetoday (Türkiye) reported that the sanctions law, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, senior officials, and Moscow's shadow fleet of tankers.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both noted that the sanctions law includes provisions for imposing duties up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
The Kyiv Post (Ukraine) reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Trump's decision a 'weak decision' and that Ukrainian forces have resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Kyiv Post (Ukraine) both reported that Trump's executive order waiving sanctions was issued just days before they were due to take effect.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both noted that the sanctions law includes sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior figures within the Russian government, and financial institutions.
The Kyiv Post (Ukraine) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both reported that Trump's decision to waive sanctions has led to renewed attacks by Ukrainian forces on Russian oil refineries.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Kyiv Post (Ukraine) both reported that the sanctions law was designed to punish major purchasers of Russian oil and gas and to lessen dependency on Russian energy.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both reported that the sanctions law includes exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Kyiv Post (Ukraine) both reported that the sanctions law was aimed at forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both reported that Trump's executive order waiving sanctions was issued on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Background
President Trump signed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which was designed to impose significant sanctions and tariffs on Russia, but he also waived many of its provisions.
The diesel deal and sanctions waiver come amid ongoing discussions between Russia and the US, with Russia seeking relief from US sanctions.
What's confirmed
- Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 last month.
- "Putin is a tyrant. Withdraw from this agreement, rescind General License No. 135, and execute the authorities provided under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Maintain our legacy – and the duty America holds – as leader of the free world," they urged.
- WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that waived sweeping US sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia’s energy revenues after signing them into law last month.
- “As described further in section 4 of this order, I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” the executive order said.
- The law targeted Russia’s energy and defense sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as well as Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions.
- Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, days before several measures were due to take effect, citing the national interest of the United States.
What's still developing
- 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 agreement comes amid ongoing discussions between Russia and the U.S.
- Unlike a conventional high-explosive warhead that distributes its blast and fragmentation over a wider area, a cumulative cutting charge is intended to concentrate explosive energy into a directional effect.
- Help rescue animals from the front line — shop our Companion Collection 🐾 U.S. President Donald Trump issued a broad waiver of sanctions under the Lindsey O.
- "We said you could do whatever you want to Russia, don't hit the refineries, because that's a world problem that's caused," Trump said on Oct. 10.
- In brief: President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine could conduct national elections if Russia commits to a 60-day total ceasefire, pushing back against US President Donald Trump’s calls for a leadership change in Kyiv.
- A bipartisan group of senators is urging Donald Trump to scrap his recently announced diesel deal with Russia, warning it could help President Vladimir Putin finance his war against Ukraine and calling the agreement "a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies."
- US President Donald Trump signed sweeping legislation into law targeting Russia’s energy, defense, and maritime sectors, the White House announced on September 18.