Trump pauses new Russia sanctions passed by Congress amid deepening row with Ukraine
President signed the legislation championed by late senator Lindsey Graham last month but has waived the restrictions as they were due to come into effect Donald Trump has put on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause on the legislation passed by both chambers was in the national interest. In an executive order on Friday, the US president said he was waiving…
Key points
- Trump signed the sanctions bill last month but has now waived many restrictions on Russia.
- The law was due to take effect in two days and included up to 100% tariffs on major Russian energy buyers.
- Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the suspension an important and truly historic moment.
Donald Trump has put on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy. In an executive order on Friday, the US president told Congress that pausing the legislation, which passed both chambers, was in the national interest.
The move comes as Trump has publicly criticised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including suggesting Ukraine needs a new leader. Trump signed the legislation last month after Congress passed it with rare bipartisan agreement.
What the sanctions law covered
The legislation sought to clamp down more quickly on financial resources fuelling Russia's war against Ukraine. Its primary backer in Congress was the late senator Lindsey Graham, and it was due to be implemented in two days.
It sanctions Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving. It also directs Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries importing less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and taking significant steps to reduce those imports.
The Trump administration’s suspension of the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment.
— Kirill Dmitriev
Reaction and related developments
Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the pause, writing on social media that the Trump administration's suspension of the Graham Act was an important and truly historic moment.
The announcement follows Trump's statement a week earlier that the US had agreed to buy diesel from Russia to lower global energy prices. He said Russia would supply more than 300,000 metric tons immediately, 500,000 tons in November and 1m tons soon after, with 3m tons more within a short period. A dozen US senators, including six Republicans, have urged him to rescind the diesel deal.
Zelenskyy said on Friday the diesel deal would mean cash will start flowing back into Russia, speaking as he met European leaders in Brussels. Trump last weekend announced Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other's energy facilities.
