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Trump Waives Russia Sanctions, Defying Lawmakers' Pleas
· Confirmed
In Short: The agreement between the US and Russia to increase Russian diesel supplies in exchange for sanctions relief has drawn criticism from lawmakers and international observers.
The sanctions law, named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, was designed to target Russia's energy and defense sectors, senior officials, and its shadow fleet of tankers.
In his executive order, Trump stated that waiving the sanctions was in the 'national interests' of the United States.
A bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers had urged Trump to fully implement the sanctions bill, arguing that it would be 'decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously.'
The lawmakers thanked Trump for signing the sanctions bill but urged him to 'apply the Graham law's sanctions to their fullest extent and without delay.'
Trump's decision to waive the sanctions comes amid ongoing discussions between Russia and the US, with Russia seeking relief from US sanctions.
The agreement between the US and Russia to increase Russian diesel supplies in exchange for sanctions relief has drawn criticism from lawmakers and international observers.
The sanctions law includes exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are working to lessen their dependency.
Trump's executive order also authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas and extends existing sanctions on Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed back against Trump’s calls for a leadership change in Kyiv, announcing that Ukraine could conduct national elections if Russia commits to a 60-day total ceasefire.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have indicated that Kyiv's backers will analyze Russia's demands and discuss additional support for Ukraine.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten noted that the situation in Ukraine is dire, with numerous Russian attacks and a tense relationship between Ukraine and the US.
Trump's waiver of the sanctions has sparked concerns among lawmakers and international observers, who argue that it could help Putin finance his war against Ukraine.
What this adds
Trump's decision to waive the sanctions is a reversal of his earlier stance and comes after a controversial deal he struck with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The sanctions law was designed to punish major purchasers of Russian oil and gas and target Russia's economy.
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 agreement between the US and Russia to increase Russian diesel supplies in exchange for sanctions relief has drawn criticism from lawmakers and international observers.
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.
- US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order putting on hold a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia’s economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest.
- Go Ad Lite Home world us Trump waives many Russia-related sanctions that threatened steep tariffs on India Trump's executive order comes as he has been warming toward Russia and publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including suggesting that Ukraine needs a new leader.
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.
- US President Donald Trump signed the bill on Friday US President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping sanctions bill, taking aim at Russia's economy by punishing major purchasers of its oil and gas.
- 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.
- US President Donald Trump says he is waiving many sanctions, restrictions and duties days before they were to take effect under a bill that he signed into law last month.
- As Republicans try to keep control of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, an AP-NORC poll released on October 1 found Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran war and blame him for higher prices among several other domestic policy issues.
- President Donald Trump has waived key Russia-related US sanctions and tariffs days before they were to take effect under a law he signed in September, including duties on the country's goods and penalties for buying its oil and gas.
- Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, signed into law in early October, gave US the power to impose 100% tariffs on India.
- "This is my answer," he told journalists in Brussels, after an extended pause.
- "It is crucial that we, as Europe, demonstrate our unconditional support for them today -- and explore what additional steps we can take," he said.
- "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.
- 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."