Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold
Trump’s unexpected move comes a week after he stunningly said the US had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to waive and put on hold a sweeping sanctions package targeting the Russian economy. According to The Guardian US, the President told Congress the pause on the legislation was in the national interest. The measures, which were due to be implemented in two days, were part of the Lindsey Graham Act, a bipartisan bill championed by the late senator that sought to limit financial resources fueling Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The legislation targeted Russia's energy and defense sectors, senior officials including President Vladimir Putin, and a shadow fleet of tankers. It also authorized the imposition of duties up to 100% on major importers of Russian oil and gas, with specific exceptions for countries that meet certain import reduction criteria. RTE News reports that the waiver follows a controversial deal involving Russian diesel exports in exchange for sanctions relief.
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald note that this move follows a recent statement from Trump regarding an agreement to purchase Russian diesel to lower global energy prices. Following the deal, RTE News reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision weak and Ukrainian forces resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Additionally, The Guardian US noted that Trump has been publicly criticizing Zelenskyy, suggesting Ukraine requires new leadership.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Age, Japan Today, RTE News, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian US — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
