‘Sucking up to Putin’: US politicians slam Trump over ‘craven, cowardly’ Russia sanctions waiver

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday waiving key U.S. sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia's energy revenues. The waiver applies to provisions under the Graham Act, also known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which Trump had signed into law last month. According to SABC News, the move comes days before the measures, which included duties on Russian goods and penalties for buying its oil and gas, were scheduled to take effect.

Trump stated in the executive order that the waiver is in the national interest of the United States and submitted a certification to Congress to that effect, as required by Section 115 of the Act.

The Graham Act was intended to increase pressure on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine by targeting the financial resources fueling the war. The legislation, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as countries helping Russia evade sanctions. Global News reported that the decision to put the sanctions package on hold drew sharp condemnation from congressional Democrats.

Hindustan Times - World News reported that the decision to waive the sanctions follows a deal with Putin under which Russia would supply diesel in exchange for relief from U.S. sanctions. Global News noted that Trump had recently stated the U.S. had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to attempt to lower global energy prices.

Brief written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News, SABC News, Gulf News, Live Mint, Global News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.