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. The legislation, known as the Lindsey Graham Act, was passed by Congress last month and was due to be implemented in two days. According to The Guardian US, Trump told Congress the pause on the legislation is in the national interest.
The act, which was championed by the late senator Lindsey Graham, targeted Russia's energy and defense sectors, senior officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers. It also authorized the president to impose duties of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
RTE News reports that the reversal follows a controversial deal struck with Vladimir Putin that would allow Russian diesel exports in exchange for sanctions relief. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age state that this move comes a week after Trump said the US had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to attempt to lower global energy prices.
Following the deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision weak, and Ukrainian forces have resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to RTE News. Additionally, The Guardian US noted that Trump has been publicly criticizing Zelenskyy, suggesting that Ukraine requires a new leader.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Sydney Morning Herald, Japan Today, RTE News, The Age, The Guardian US — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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