Trump waives several Russia sanctions as new US law takes effect
Trump delays parts of new Russia sanctions as pressure grows over Ukraine policy
Ninoda.com – President Donald Trump has moved to suspend several newly approved US sanctions targeting Russia, using executive authority to prevent parts of a congressional measure from taking effect.
In an executive order issued late on Friday, Trump said withholding some of the penalties served US “national interests”. The legislation, signed by Trump in September, was scheduled to begin taking effect on Sunday, with further provisions due to come into force on 18 October.
The decision has intensified concern in Washington and among US allies over whether the administration will enforce measures intended to increase pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
A law aimed at Russia’s economy
The sanctions legislation is named after the late South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on 11 July. Graham had been a prominent supporter of Ukraine in Washington.
The measure was designed to strike at major parts of Russia’s economy and grants the president considerable latitude to act. It authorises tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas, with China and India the most significant potential targets.
Its provisions also cover sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian government officials, banks and other financial bodies, and the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade existing restrictions.
A cross-party group of 20 lawmakers urged Trump on Thursday to carry out the law fully. In their letter, they thanked him for signing it but pressed the administration to implement its requirements without delay.
The lawmakers said enforcement would be “decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously” and called for the Graham law’s sanctions to be used to their fullest extent.
Democratic Congressman Don Beyer of Virginia was among those sharply critical of Trump’s action. He accused the president of giving ground to Moscow while abandoning Ukraine and President Volodymyr 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.
Russian diesel plan fuels backlash
The sanctions decision follows Trump’s announcement on 9 October that he had spoken with Putin and agreed to buy diesel from Russia. Trump has presented the proposed imports as a way to ease fuel costs before November’s midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
US diesel and other fuel prices have risen sharply since the war with Iran began in February, adding to financial strains for voters already focused on the cost of living. Trump has sought to bring those prices down before the election.
However, the proposal to purchase Russian diesel has prompted objections from lawmakers in both major parties. It has also unsettled US partners, who fear that increased Russian energy revenue could support Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Zelensky described the diesel arrangement as a gift to Putin and said it represented an investment in a war that should be brought to an end.
The disagreement comes as European allies continue preparing for Ukraine’s longer-term security needs. Hundreds of British, French and German troops are due to join a major exercise in Poland next month. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercise was intended to ensure participating countries were ready to assist with military training and Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war.
Disputed claims of an energy truce
Tensions have also risen over claims of a temporary halt in attacks on energy facilities. On Sunday, 11 October, Trump said Russia and Ukraine had accepted an “energy ceasefire” that would begin immediately. He did not provide details of the proposed arrangement.
Zelensky said he was surprised by the announcement, though he indicated that Ukraine would halt such strikes if Russia did the same. Moscow, however, said it had never accepted the agreement and continued its attacks.
Kyiv resumed its strikes after three days. Trump then condemned Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, describing them as a “disgrace”. Zelensky defended Ukraine’s approach, saying he was acting only to protect his country’s interests.
Starlink disruption adds to Ukraine’s concerns
Ukraine’s defensive position has faced further uncertainty after restrictions affected the US-owned Starlink internet network. The service is important to Kyiv’s military communications and operations.
During a slowdown on Tuesday night, Russia carried out several deadly strikes on Ukraine. Residents and government officials said there had been no warning before the attacks.
On Friday, Zelensky called the reduction in service a “very dangerous and unpleasant surprise”, adding that Starlink speeds had not yet returned fully to normal.
The Trump administration had previously warned that intelligence sharing with Ukraine could be withheld if Kyiv continued attacking Russian oil refineries. Such intelligence has been crucial to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian forces.
The combination of delayed sanctions, proposed Russian fuel imports, disagreement over energy attacks and concerns about military communications has placed the US-Ukraine relationship under renewed strain. Congressional supporters of the sanctions law now face a central question: whether the new legislation will become a meaningful source of pressure on Moscow or remain limited by presidential exemptions.
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