Trump Waives New Russia Sanctions Two Days Before They Took Effect
Donald Trump has used an executive order to suspend much of the Graham Act, the Russia sanctions law he signed last month, telling Congress the pause “is in the national interests of the United States”. The waivers cover 100% tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, due on Sunday, and 500% tariffs on Russian goods. Senator Richard Blumenthal called it a “craven, cowardly action”.
The law also targeted senior Russian figures, banks and the shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving; the waivers stand until officials “determine that further action is appropriate”. It follows last week’s deal to import Russian diesel, which Volodymyr Zelensky says means cash “will start flowing back into Russia”. The criticism crosses party lines: the Republican congressman Don Bacon said the president “is prolonging the war, not ending it”. In Europe, Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, told the BBC that restricting support for Kyiv “makes absolutely no sense”. Mr Trump, facing midterms next month, blames Ukrainian refinery strikes for high fuel prices; American diesel is up almost 70% since the Iran war began.