Trump signs executive order waiving new Russia sanctions, tariffs

The White House announced on Friday that President Donald Trump had signed an executive order waiving the new US sanctions and tariffs imposed on Russia following their signing into law last month by the Lindsey Graham Act. Named after the late US Senator who sponsored the bill, the act granted Trump the authority to impose duties up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

In a statement accompanying the executive order, Trump declared he was waiving the application of these sanctions, restrictions, and duties as outlined in the Graham Act. The law specifically targeted Russia's energy and defense sectors, Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, and the country's "shadow fleet" of tankers used to bypass Western sanctions.

Trump's decision to reverse the Russia sanctions follows a controversial deal he made with Putin, which would permit Russian diesel exports in exchange for US sanctions relief. This arrangement has strained relations between Kyiv and Washington, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky describing it as a "weak decision," and Ukrainian forces resuming attacks on Russian oil refineries in response.